Ride for Hope & Housing planned Saturday in Davidson

Erik Thorsheim and his dad Peter plan to ride the 25-kilometer route in this Saturday's Ride for Hope and Housing.

SOURCE: Davidson Housing Coalition

Davidson Housing Coalition’s 5th annual Ride for Hope & Housing is Saturday, Oct. 3, in Davidson, and its youngest rider this year is also the first rider to add fund-raising to his preparations for the ride.

For the first time this year, the annual benefit ride is giving participants an opportunity to raise money in support of their rides. This personal fund-raising is encouraged, but not required.

The Ride for Hope & Housing will be Erik Thorsheim’s first charity ride. When his dad, Peter, told him about the ride, Erik saw the option to fund-raise and thought, “Why not?”

A sixth grader at Davidson IB Middle School, the event offered a good opportunity to earn service hours, required for all students at Davidson IB Middle School, and Erik loves to ride. To help raise support, he plans to get in touch with his family, such as grandparents, aunts, and uncles, by email in the coming weeks.

In registering for the 25K and setting up his personal fund-raising page (available to all riders registered via active.com), Erik is both DHC’s first individual fundraiser and its youngest ever participant in one of three distant routes in the Ride for Hope & Housing. The Ride, set for Saturday, Oct. 3, features 100K, 50K, and 25K routes and a 5K Family Fun Ride.

Erik has been riding since he was four years old. In addition to riding in road events like the Ride for Hope & Housing, he also loves to bike off-road, such as on the trails at Davidson College and at Fisher Farm Park. As he and his dad train for the 25K course, they frequently ride the Davidson Greenway and return home via Davidson Concord Road.

Erik also stays busy with many activities beyond cycling. He just joined the Science Olympiad club at Davidson IB and is looking forward to competing with the team in regional, state, and national competitions. He has earned his blue and black-striped belt in karate and plays the violin. Like cycling, Erik’s other hobbies require discipline and self control.

When asked what he enjoys about cycling, Erik grins, “going fast.” The sport is exciting to him because of the free range of motion it provides, whether he is soaring off hills or lifts on a mountain course or zooming down a sloping road. He also points out that biking provides a good way to get to know people.

Erik has an eight year-old brother, Jacob. He and his family moved to Davidson in June 2008 after living in London for a year for his dad’s job. Previously, the Thorsheims lived in Concord.

Erik was born in Madison, Wis. He and his  family say they’re happy to be in a college town once again, in Davidson. The Thorsheims recently adopted a dog, a collie-beagle mix. Enjoying the outdoors, serving their community, and, now, owning a pet, Erik and his family are making the most of being part of this community.

WANT TO RIDE AND HELP?

Registration is still open to for the Davidson Housing Coalition’s 2009 Ride for Hope & Housing. It’s Saturday, Oct. 3, beginning at Davidson United Methodist Church, 233 S. Main St.  Race-day registration begins in the church parking lot at 7:30 a.m.

The  100K begins at 8:30 a.m., and the 50K and 25K rides depart at 8:45.  The Family Fun Ride follows at 9:30. The longer routes follow back roads of Mecklenburg, Iredell, Cabarrus, and Rowan counties.

Pre-registration is $25 for adults and $5 for Family Fun Ride participants.  Children 4 years-old and younger ride free. A T-shirt and water bottle are guaranteed for the first 100 pre-registered riders in the distance routes and available to others while supplies last.

For more information call 704-892-4486 or register online at Active.com.