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June 30, 2018, marked the inaugural Rock the Ride Napa, a benefit bike ride and walk in support of gun violence prevention. The event, which brought over 500 cyclists and walkers together for a sun-filled day of exercise followed by brunch (burritos and bubbles), became a day to acknowledge what has now been called an epidemic in our country: gun violence. While the idea of moving – cycling and walking – brought the community together – the panel of guest speakers at the Yountville park brunch, including House Leader and Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi, was the main event for presenting the public meaningful ways to be educated and empowered to take on this new and crucial conversation: “What can we do to make a difference?” … “We need change.” … “We say enough.”
Congressman Mike Thompson, Napa County Sheriff John Robertson, and Ride Napa Valley’s Event Producer, Rebecca Kotch were the three on that ideating bike ride, spinning out the stress of the then recent and very raw tragedy at the Pathway Home in Yountville, and sketching out a way to connect one another via sport. Mike said, “We need to do something – we need to create a ride and a way for our community to come together and connect.” Within three months, the inaugural event in support of the newly formed Napa chapter of Moms Demand Action/Everytown for Gun Safety and Giffords (the gun violence prevention organization led by former Congresswoman, Gabrielle Giffords), brought in a host of sponsors, donors, and political leaders saying, “enough is enough”. Year one raised nearly $40,000 for the two beneficiaries.
The name, Rock the Ride, inspired by Rock the Vote, was positioned to give guests a forum to come together in unity, ask important questions, and leave with necessary information – the underlying event premise is that learning can be from content, conversation and community, and yes, cycling and steps as well.
Many of the same voices who supported the 2018 event will be returning for this June’s event, including Congressman Mike Thompson, Sheriff John Robertson, Assemblymember Cecilia Aguiar-Curry, Congressman Jared Huffman’s team, and others to be announced in early June.
For 2019, Rock the Ride will be supporting Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence, Mom’s Demand Action/Everytown for Gun Safety Support, and Alaina’s Voice Foundation. The goal is twofold: spread a message of kindness, and give to organizations that work tirelessly to educate and create policies that promote gun safety.
Sat., June 29th 8am – 1pm check-in begins at 7am
Starts at the
Yountville Community Center 6516 Washington Street
Ends at
Yountville Community Park 2900 Lincoln Avenue
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
25 MILE RIDE .... 8:15AM
10 MILE RIDE .... 8:45AM
3 MILE WALK .... 9:15AM
10:30AM – Burritos & Bubbles Brunch
11:30AM – Voices of Change
1:00PM – Event Concludes
For more information about the event RocktheRideNapa.com