Joining Team Wellspring is as easy as contacting us to let us [...]]]> Team Wellspring with be riding in the 4th Annual Ben Farrant Memorial Cyclathon on July 17-18. We are riding to honor one of Wellspring’s founding members and help improve education for Rwandan children by investing in their schools through the Whole School Development Program.

Joining Team Wellspring is as easy as contacting us to let us know you want to ride. We will then direct you to register at the Cascade website to reserve your spot in this year’s ride. For a $95 registration fee to the Cascade Bike Club, you will be provided with food at rest stops, luggage transport, mechanical and medical support, and other logistical support. Online registration is the fastest and cheapest registration method. Register soon to avoid a last minute scramble as the event usually sells out and has already registered 51% of it’s riders.

Although most of you never had the opportunity to meet Ben I thought you might enjoy this picture from the 2005 STP. By the way, he is riding a $50 bike I picked up at a garage sale!

Last week, after over two years of legal wrangling, the trial came to an end [...]]]> We have called this event the Ben Farrant Memorial Cyclathon in memory of one of Wellspring’s founding board members.  Ben was tragically killed while training for the STP nearly three years go after being hit from behind by an elderly driver.

Last week, after over two years of legal wrangling, the trial came to an end with a conviction of dangerous driving causing death.  For Ben’s family and friends, it was a relief to finally have some resolution, but also sad to see the unwillingness of the driver to admit fault or seek restitution with the family.  This may have been the decisive factor in his conviction.

At the close of the trial, Ben’s mom Helga shared a victim impact statement, that was extremely powerful.  In it she talks about the life of her son and how he made a greater difference in his 25 years on this earth than many men make in a lifetime.  Here is an excerpt from the end of the statement when she directs her thoughts towards the driver who hit Ben.  I wanted to share this because it has so much to do with why I ride!

My view of heaven is that it is so amazingly fun and wonderful, full of laughter and singing so that once you get there no one wants to leave. It is in a different dimension that is full of peace and goodness that radiates from the throne of God. I like to imagine that Ben has given Moses some mountain biking tips while they cycled down Mt. Sinai together and that he trades adventure stories with his great-great-grandfather and sings his favourite hymns along with the angels. I know he would love to hang out with Jesus and I imagine that they dream up fabulous things to pray for us and to encourage us. I believe that he very likely is here now with the “cloud of witnesses” that the bible talks about, cheering us on to run our own race with truthfulness, kindness and love. I hope you will meet Ben there one day. I’m sure that Ben will be among the first ones to welcome you, with his warm handshake with one big hand and his trademark “wrap around bear hug” with the other. I know Ben would like me to tell you today that his Jesus is good and kind and that his heart is full of love toward you.

Read Helga’s Full Victim Impact Statement

On July 11-12th, we are riding to honor one of Wellspring’s founding members and help improve education for Rwandan children by investing in their schools through the Whole School Development Program.

The 30th annual Group Health Seattle to Portland Bicycle [...]]]>

Ride the 200 miles from Seattle to Portland and improve the education of Rwandan Children.

On July 11-12th, we are riding to honor one of Wellspring’s founding members and help improve education for Rwandan children by investing in their schools through the Whole School Development Program.

The 30th annual Group Health Seattle to Portland Bicycle ClassicThe Cyclathon is part of the annual Group Health Seattle to Portland Bike Classic. Last year Team Wellspring entered 25 riders and raised over $48,000 to build a training center and secondary school building.
Team Wellspring has set a goal this year to enter 50 riders and raise over $60,000.

Decked out in a vibrant yellow, blue and green jersey, you will join 9000 others on a two day, 200 mile ride through the valleys, forests, and farmland of western Washington and Oregon. It is an unforgettable experience!

Joining Team Wellspring is as easy as contacting us to let us know you want to ride. We will then direct you to register at the Cascade website to reserve your spot in this year’s ride. For a $95 registration fee to the Cascade Bike Club, you will be provided with food at rest stops, luggage transport, mechanical and medical support, and other logistical support. Online registration is the fastest and cheapest registration method. Register soon to avoid a last minute scramble as the event usually sells out.

Wellspring will provide free snack and energy packs, jerseys for riders and t-shirts for volunteers, logistics for overnight accommodations, a pre-ride party on Friday night in Seattle and a post-ride pool party on Sunday in Portland. We will also work with you on getting the resources you need for training and fundraising.

If each rider can raise $5 a mile or more ($1000) in sponsorships, we will be well on our way to achieving our goal. We will remain in close contact over the next few months to encourage you in your efforts and make necessary arrangements for transport and overnight stays. If you want to volunteer as part of the Pit Crew, please let us know so we can send you a volunteer information packet.