New York – Enthusiasm Trumps Wet Weather As Bike 4 Chai Raises Nearly $10M For Camp Simcha

New York – Inclement weather did nothing to dampen the excitement during Chai Lifeline’s Bike 4 Chai two day bike ride this week as well over 500 cyclists pedaled 180 miles over two days through New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania to raise money to send children with cancer and chronic illnesses to summer camp.

Over $9.8 million was raised by Bike 4 Chai for Camp Simcha and its sister camp, Camp Simcha Special. Each camp runs a two two-week long sessions, with separate trips for boys and girls at its Glen Spey campus. The women’s Tour de Simcha bike ride held in July drew 230 riders for a 78 mile ride and brought in more than $1.2 million.

Riders faced unusually difficult weather conditions this year, starting off on Wednesday morning in Princeton, New Jersey amid heavy rains which tapered off into hot and humid conditions throughout the day. Thursday found riders dealing with pouring rain for the final three hours of the race. While bikers had the option of being transported to a barbeque held at a staging area before heading to the Camp Simcha finish line, most chose to tough it out in the rain, said Bike 4 Chai executive director Sruli Fried.

“We had 525 bikers eating barbeque in a tent in mud up to their ankles,” Fried told VIN News. “We had a truck bringing in towels and thermal blankets and flip flops for them and when we rode into camp together in the pouring rain, it felt like G-d was crying tears of joy together with the campers, riders and their families.”

Over one thousand campers, friends and family members were on hand to celebrate Bike 4 Chai’s record participation and fundraising totals with bikers as they arrived in Camp Simcha.

Rabbi Simcha Scholar, executive vice president of Chai Lifeline, praised participants for their dedication, noting that in addition to training for months for the ride and engaging in ongoing fundraising efforts, many woke up early on Wednesday and Thursday morning to learn Daf Yomi before donning their helmets and hitting the road.

“These are very special souls who dedicate so much time and effort who come from all walks of life,” said Rabbi Scholar. “We have successful businessmen, rabbeim in yeshivos and so many other outstanding individuals who devote so much time to Bike 4 Chai. We are forever grateful to them.”