It’s Time to Sign Up and Start Training for the Kelly Brush Ride
by Rowan Beck,
June 30, 2011, page 9.....

The Sixth Annual Kelly Brush Century Ride has been set for Saturday, September 10, 2011. Vermont’s largest ride, it supports spinal cord injury prevention and adaptive sports. Last year there were 700 riders, and $275,000 was raised. The ride, which has increased in size each year, was originally begun by the Middlebury College Ski Team to raise money to buy an adaptive mono ski for fellow member Kelly Brush of Charlotte after she was paralyzed as a result of from a crash during one of her races.
The event is a beautiful ride through scenic Addison and Chittenden Counties, beginning in Middlebury, passing through Charlotte and Shelburne, to name a few of the towns. Riders can choose from 28, 50 or 100 miles and teams are also welcome. The route map is displayed on the Kelly Brush Foundation website, KellyBrushFoundation.org, under course map.
So far this year, the organization has raised $71,330. Proceeds support the mission of the Kelly Brush Foundation to improve ski racing safety, enhance the quality of life for those with spinal cord injury (SCI) through adaptive sports equipment grants, advance scientific research on SCI, and support the US Adaptive Ski Team. For every $5,000 raised by a team or individual, the foundation will donate adaptive sports equipment in the name of that team or individual. Funds also support ski safety racing grants for ski clubs and race organizations throughout the U.S.
September may seem like a long way off, but now is the perfect time to start training. Upon registration, riders may use an eight-week training program on the website. It is broken out by weeks and suggests how much riding per week is necessary to get ready. Tips on eating and hydration are also provided. The plan is simple and just an example of how to prepare. “Each year the Kelly Brush Foundation Grows, we are able to make a positive difference in the lives of more people with spinal cord injuries,” said Charlie Brush, Foundation President and father of Kelly Brush.
For more information and to register for the ride, go to KellyBrushFoundation.org or call 846-5298.