Courage Ride is a charity bike ride whose sole purpose is to generate seed grant funding for sarcoma cancer research at the University of Iowa Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center. Inspired by the courage of Seth Bailey, Courage Ride is dedicated to improving the lives of those affected by sarcoma cancer.
The 20th annual Courage Ride will be held Saturday, August 10th at Big Grove Brewery and Taproom in Iowa City. A virtual ride option is also available.
Courage Ride honors the life of Seth Bailey, a courageous young man who died at age 25 from sarcoma cancer in 2003. His parents, Jackie and Tom Bailey partnered with Bicyclists of Iowa City (BIC) in 2005 to create a ride that all levels of bicyclists can enjoy.
Courage Ride offers multiple routes options for riders through the scenic Amish countryside near Hills and Kalona and out as far as North English and Millersburg, Iowa.
Courage Ride organizers anticipate up to 500 bicyclists to register for the event. Beginning at 6:30 a.m., bicyclists will travel on 5 different routes choices from Big Grove that include lengths of 18.5, 37 (Seth Bailey Courage Loop), 57, 85 or 105 (The Tom Bailey Century) miles.
Bicyclists can also participate in a silent auction featuring items from a variety of area businesses, organizations, and craftsmen.
Proceeds Support Sarcoma Cancer Research
All proceeds from Courage Ride go to the University of Iowa Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center Sarcoma Research Program. Over the past 19 years, Courage Ride has raised over $865,000 for sarcoma cancer research.
To date, Courage Ride proceeds have seeded numerous sarcoma cancer research grants. Many of those grants have evolved into promising, larger scale research studies. This newfound momentum in the Sarcoma Research Program has created a lot of enthusiasm among researchers, investigators, doctors, and cancer care providers at the Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center. The results are leading to new advancements, new partnerships and attracting some of the best research talent in the nation. Patient lives are improved as a result of these research studies and the Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center is gaining worldwide recognition for its expertise in advancing sarcoma research.
Courage Ride’s mission is more crucial than ever considering that funding for cancer research has been shrinking over the past 10 years, according to the American Association for Cancer Research. Yet cancer remains one of the nation’s costliest diseases. The American Cancer Society’s 2024 estimates for soft tissue sarcomas in the United States (these statistics include both adults and children) project that 13,590 new soft tissue sarcomas will be diagnosed (7,700 cases in males and 5,890 cases in females) and 5,200 Americans (2,760 males and 2,440 females) are expected to die of soft tissue sarcomas. Over 100 adults and children in Iowa are diagnosed with sarcoma each year. Sarcoma receives one to two percent of all cancer research funding.
Discount For Early Registration
Registration is now open. Early adult registration is $75 (through Friday, August 2). Beginning August 3, adult registration is $85. On-site registration Friday, August 9 and 10 is $90. Youth registration (13-17) is $15. Registration includes breakfast and lunch; entertaining rest stops and SAG support. Live music will be held throughout the afternoon.
Visit www.CourageRide.org for more information about the event including registration, route maps, parking, or to make a donation.
ABOUT THE RIDE
- Start/finish location: Big Grove Brewery and Taproom in Iowa City
- Over 500 riders are expected to register
- 5 paved routes, ranging from 18 miles to a century ride (18.5, 37, 57, 85.5, 105 miles)
- Registration at Big Grove opens at 6 a.m.
- Includes breakfast and lunch
- Rest stops with food, drinks, and live music
- Cyclists receive detailed maps, SAG support and bike mechanics
- Courage Ride jerseys available to order
- A silent auction at Big Grove featuring items from area businesses, organizations, and craftsmen
- Adult-Early Registration (through Friday, August 2nd) $75
- Adult-Week of Registration (starting Saturday, August 3rd) $85
- On-site registration Friday, August 9th and 10th is $90.
- Youth (13-17) $15
- Children 12 & under are free.
Visit CourageRide.org for route maps, registration information or to make a donation.
Also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter!
Join us for this fun event and help us "Fight Sarcoma Cancer. Together."