Some, though, are pulled off through the vision and drive of one key person. The Raven Rock Ramble, instance, an annual May century ride that Cary’s David Cole, a kidney transplant recipient, started in 2002 to raise money for the UNC Kidney Center (it’s raised more than $150,000 in its 12 years). Or the Miracle Mile, held every September in downtown Raleigh to raise money to cure motor neuron diseases such as Primary Lateral Sclerosis and ALS, a k a Lou Gehrig’s disease. The remarkable Sarah Witt, a former runner who has PLS, started the Miracle Mile in 2006; it as since raised more than $450,000.

And, on Dec. 13, we have the 5th Annual Tour de Toys, which Camye Womble started to  raise money for kids who might not otherwise have toys to unwrap this holiday season. Price of admission: one new, unwrapped toy that will be given to families at The Women’s Center of Wake County.

While the goal of this ride is worthy enough, another recommendation for this ride is that it’s a ride for everyone, not just the hammerheads who can crank out 64 miles in a couple hours. There’s a 12-mile route, and if that’s too much, you have the option for a six-mile-ride as well. The rides start and finish at Natty Greene’s Brewing Company in downtown Raleigh, each has a ride leader to make sure you stay on the course, each has a sweep to make sure you don’t get left behind. The unwrapped toy admission includes two adult beverages for adults at the finish, kid-appropriate beverages for the under 21-set. You need a bike, you need a helmet, you need a cool, unwrapped toy, you need to show up around 9:30 a.m. (the ride starts at 10 a.m.). Is there a better way to spend the second Saturday morning in December?

Learn more about Tour de Toys and register, by going here.

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The post Tour de Toys, for the tots appeared first on GetGoing NC!.

Benefit events — runs, rides, walks, hikes, whatever involves movement to raise money — are a dime a dozen. Provided, that is, you’re in pretty good shape. Witness the plethora of 5Ks on the market for runners, the MS 150, or the Ultimate Hike, which I recently was involved with. For the latter, a 12-week training program was required — or very highly recommended — to help participants complete the goal of a 28.3-mile mountain hike in one day.

Not everyone has the time nor the inclination to train for a benefit event. Still, many folks like the idea of being active to help a good cause. Which is why I’m drawn to Dec. 10’s Tour de Toys in Raleigh. You have the option of doing a 12-mile bike ride on neighborhood streets in Raleigh or, if that’s too much, there’s a 6-mile option — basically the equivalent of a ride in the neighborhood with the kids. Entry fee: a new toy, valued at $15 or more, that will go to The Women’s Center of Wake County.

The ride is the unlikely brainchild of Camye Womble. “Unlikely” only because in her non-fundraising life Camye is incapable of riding just 12 miles. Camye’s thing is endurance mountain bike racing. When I asked recently whether she was doing 6 BC, a 6-hour mountain bike race in Chapel Hill, she said prefers longer events. Longer, as in the Off-Road Assault on Mount Mitchell, a 63-mile ride that climbs a total 11,000 feet, or the old 24 Hours of Snowshoe, which involved riding an 8-mile loop that gained 1,500 feet, over and over for 24 straight hours.

“I wanted it to be an ALL-inclusive ride that pretty much anybody can do,” says Camye, “older folks to parents and the kids, as well as those not in shape looking to get out and support a good cause, with the emphasis being on giving a gift to kids that probably wouldn’t get one.”

Adding to ride’s festive, laid-back nature: Ride HQ is Natty Greene’s, nattygreenes.com a local establishment where participants will be able to slake their thirst after riding (each adults rider gets two beers, with “kid-friendly beverages for the little ones”). Plus, there’s a raffle afterward with $1,500 in donated prizes.

Tour de Toys is in just its second year and as such is still an intimate gathering: Camye expects around 100 riders this year. Camye hopes to grow the ride into something bigger, though, with live music, BMX bike demonstrations and other post-ride entertainment.

The 12-mile ride starts at 10 a.m., the 6-miler at 10:30. Both rides will have a ride leader and a sweep, so no rider should get misplaced on the not-really-mean-quite-friendly-really streets of Raleigh. And, again, it’s Dec. 10 — you still have plenty of time not to train.

To register, go here.

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Got a benefit ride/race/walk/anything-requiring-some-degree-of-activity that doesn’t require training — at all? Let us know about it and we’ll do our best to let others know as well.

The post A benefit ride that won’t tan your hide appeared first on GetGoing NC!.