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Bike ride fundraiser postponed by heavy rains

Postponed ride raises $7,700 toward bicycles for Malawi, Africa

Emily Schaldach’s plan to raise funds to provide bikes for Malawi in Africa, hit a speed bump on Friday in the form of torrential rains.

Schaldach, a professional bicyclist and student at University of Colorado Boulder, had an event scheduled for Friday at Rotary Park which involved professional cyclists leading tours of Durango-area trails, she said. This event raised funds for World Bicycle Relief, a Chicago-based nonprofit that produces bicycles for African communities.

When storm clouds rolled in and stayed over Durango, she had to call off the original event, Schaldach said. She had to think on her feet and come up with a plan B.

“We just kept the same place and time, so everyone met at Rotary, and we had a raffle, and we made a bunch of hot chocolate because it was cold,” Schaldach said.

Despite the heavy rain, the event raised $7,700, which funds 52 bikes. The change in plans actually allowed for individuals who donated but were unable to ride for physical reasons to participate in the festivities, she said. “It didn’t go exactly as planned, but it turned out to be a really great afternoon,”

The actual ride portion of the event was rescheduled for Tuesday evening so everyone got their money’s worth, she said.

Schaldach also received a boost to her cause from Durango-born Olympian Howard Grotts. Grotts was unable to lead one of the tours of local trails.

He was slightly preoccupied competing in the UCI Cross-Country Mountain Bike World Cup in Canada, but he offered to give Schaldach his 2014 race bike to auction off to help with fundraising.

“I was surprised because it’s just the nicest thing, but it’s totally something Howard would do,” she said.

Grotts’ bicycle is on eBay with a starting bid of $2,000, and the auction closes at 2 p.m. Monday

The bike can be found by searching for Howard Grotts, Schaldach said. All proceeds from its sale will go toward World Bicycle Relief.

Luke Perkins is a student at Fort Lewis College and an intern with The Durango Herald. He can be reached at lukep@durangoherald.com.



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