The 109 mile ride gains about 4,200 feet of elevation, most of it in the first 25 miles. The 68 mile ride gains about 1,300 feet of elevation. The 45 mile ride is largely flat.
The first Ride 4A Reason happened in 2008: four cyclists with children in public schools, frustrated by the severe state budget cuts to education, rode from Oakland to Sacramento to dramatize their determination to do better for California’s students.
Ride for a Reason has been going strong since then. Last year, over 300 students, teachers, parents and community members pedaled from Oakland to the steps of the State Capitol to raise money for 12 beneficiary public schools and to advocate for greater funding for education.
The schools use these funds for the necessary basics: library books, sports equipment, art education, after-school programs, science equipment, and staff salaries for counselors, librarians, and reading specialists. Our R4R recipient schools serve predominantly students who receive free or reduced lunch, are English language learners, migrant students and other historically marginalized student groups. As of 2023, we have raised close to $1.62 million for public schools in Oakland and Alameda.
Claremont Middle School PTA is the fiscal sponsor for Ride for a Reason and is a 501(c) 3 organization. Donations are tax-deductible as allowable by law.