BURKE, Vt. (BRAIN) — The Rasputitsa Spring Classic, a muddy, snowy gravel event in Vermont's Northeast Kingdom, held April 21, raised $18,000 for the Little Bellas, a nonprofit that aims to help young women realize their potential through mountain biking.
The event attracted more than 1,300 riders. Funds were raised through the sale of event merchandise and raffle tickets for a custom painted Specialized Diverge frameset (raffle tickets are still being sold until May 1, see below).
Rasputitsa is a Russian word for mud season. The five-year-old race was launched by Anthony Moccia and Heidi Myers. The event has been a successful effort to unite cyclists, bring economic opportunity to a remote area of Vermont, and give back to cycling with every dollar they profit.
"From the moment we experienced the event last year, we knew there was something special," said Stephanie Kaplan, road product manager at Specialized. "The energy of the riders and the organizers is infectious, and we're so glad to be a partner and to help support the race, and to help raise money for a cause that Specialized is so passionate about. Anthony and Heidi have built something incredible, and it's no surprise that the race, the participation and the money raised keeps getting better and better every year. We look forward to the continued partnership."
Little Bellas was founded in 2007 in Jericho, Vermont and has worked to get more than 2,700 girls on bikes.
Sabra Davison, the co-founder and executive director of Little Bellas, said, "This partnership with Rasputitsa is built on an incredible synergy and Vermont community values. This years' fundraising effort will make a lasting impact on girls for years to come. The funds will be used to help girls in need and start new chapters to get more girls on bikes. We are thrilled to increase our impact."
To learn more about Rasputitsa, its impact on cycling, register for next year's race, or purchase raffle tickets for the frameset, visit rasputitsagravel.com. The raffle ends May 1.
