Last year, many of you rolled out in the pouring rain to ride for a reason.

With your help, we raised $4,000 for Project Rwanda (www.projectrwanda.org), a group that is implementing the bicycle as a development tool and symbol of hope in a country recovering from one of the worst genocides in recent memory.

Well, it is that time of year again. The rain is here, the coffee is brewing, and the bike path is calling. Please join myself, Project Director and mountain bike legend Tom Ritchey, and cyclists of all ages at Goleta Beach on Saturday, February 2nd for the 2nd Annual Ride 4 Rwanda.

Last year’s efforts helped the Project distribute specially designed "coffee bikes” to Rwanda’s independent coffee farmers through a micro-loan system.

Thanks to your help, there are over 1,800 coffee bikes being pedalled up Rwanda’s steep hills, and coffee farmers are making $0.15-0.20 more per pound due to the fact that they can now deliver fresher coffee faster to the processing stations.

This year, the Ride 4 Rwanda will raise funds to build bike shops at the coffee cooperatives that have been distributing these bikes. With your help, we will build workstations, distribute tools, and train mechanics to maintain what has become a vital resource in Rwanda’s recovery.

We had 100 riders last year, and hope to expand the ride beyond SBMS this year to attract over 200! Bring your families, friends, and co-workers. I will have fliers and posters by mid-week if any of you would like to post them at your offices or businesses.

Check out www.ride4rwanda.org for all of the details on the route and registration. In addition, I am looking for sponsors for the event.

-We need a coffee shop to brew the pounds of Wooden Bike Coffee that Tom Ritchey will be bringing down for the event.

-We need several donors to help pay for the 150 event t-shirts, similar (but new color this year!) to the ones that many of your kids still wear around the halls of SBMS. This underwriting will ensure that 100% of the registration fees and ride day donations go directly to Project Rwanda.

-We need a bakery (commercial or home) to provide something warm for 200 to go along with the Rwandan coffee on the morning of the ride.

If any of you are interested in helping out or know any local businesses that would be interested, give me a call at 805 284 7558.

Project Rwanda has 501(c)(3) status, and all donations will be tax deductible. In addition, all sponsors will be listed on our website.

With your help, we can yet again make this more than just another Saturday ride.

Murakoze.

Jacob Seigel-Boettner, Event Director Ride 4 Rwanda