Join Team xMinds for Bike to the Beach 2024!

• Do you want to help xMinds with our mission to improve education for autistic students in Montgomery County, MD, by being part of our annual fundraiser, which provides more than half our budget?

• Do you want to develop a deeper sense of community with fellow xMinds families?  

• Do you want to get into shape under the guidance of our amazing team captain, Patrick Quigley?

Get ready to join Team xMinds! 

Join or Donate to Team xMinds Here

If you're interested, but not sure how to get involved, scroll down to the FAQs below or email any of these xMinds leaders who are organizing this event:

Patrick Quigley -- Team Captain (for bike-riders)

Sue Keisler, Melanie Carlos and Monica Martinez -- Communications 

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERS

You can support Team xMinds by sponsoring the race at two different levels, whatever fits your budget. In exchange, your organization will receive recognition on race day, as well as in our xMindsWire newsletter and on social media. Find more information about sponsorship levels here.

PRACTICE RIDES 

Rides are every 2 weeks and usually on Sunday mornings at 9am. 

See the Schedule of practice rides for spring and summer 2024 on our calendar here: 2024 TRAINING RIDES

Thinking of joining Team xMinds? Here are the FAQs:

What is Bike to the Beach?  Bike to the Beach is a nonprofit that organizes bike rides around the country to help local autism organizations like xMinds raise money. xMinds has participated for the last four years and now relies on this fundraiser to raise more than half its annual budget.

What if I don't have time to do any volunteering or bike-riding, but I want to support Team xMinds?  We would very much appreciate a financial donation to the team. We are doing this fun event ultimately to raise funds so xMinds can continue its free programming for families and educators. You can donate here. We appreciate all donations!

What's involved for the riders?  The biking enthusiasts get together for weekend practice rides in the spring, then ride in the Bike to the Beach bike ride on Friday, August 2. The complete 100-mile-ride starts at Union Station, DC, but there are other starting points along the route where you can start your ride if you're interested in riding only 70, 50 or 25 miles. (Most riders opt for one of the shorter rides.) Everyone ends at the same finish line in Dewey Beach, DE. All practice rides are optional, so drop in when you can! Some people bring their teenage kids too. In the past people have found these rides are a lot of fun and a great way to meet other xMinds families. Bike riders can join Team xMinds here. If you're not sure you want to join, just email Patrick Quigley to tell him you want to join the practice rides to give it a try. He'll make sure you receive the emails telling you where and when we're meeting. 

What's involved for non-riders?  We need non-biking volunteers to staff the rest stop that we're going to host on the day of the bike ride (Friday, August 2). This is a great way to be involved if bike riding is not your thing. It’s fun to be part of the excitement and to cheer on the bike-riders, especially if you have a family member who's riding! If you're not available to be at the rest stop on August 2, you can donate drinks or snacks ahead of time. If you want to help with the rest stop please email Melanie.  We encourage you to join the team as a volunteer (for free), and help with fundraising by reaching out to friends to support the team.

How much money do I need to raise as a member of Team xMinds? You're not required to raise any minimum amount, but you might be happily surprised at how your friends and family respond when you reach out to them to invite them to support Team xMinds.

How important is this to xMinds?  xMinds relies on this event to provide more than half our annual budget -- so it's important! 

What does it cost for me to register to ride on August 2?  There are three possible registration levels:  (1) Standard registration - $125 enrollment - $500 fundraising minimum;  (2) Yellow registration - $100 enrollment - $1,500 fundraising minimum; and (3) Goal Hitter Registration - $550 enrollment. $0 fundraising minimum.  Please don't let the fundraising minimums keep you away. Bike to the Beach is flexible with them and wants to help everyone reach their fundraising goals.

Where can I find out more about the ride and the route?  The Washington, DC ride is described here.

How can I buy those cool xMinds bike shirts I see in the photos?  You can buy shirts and other xMinds-branded bike paraphernalia in our Team Store.

More questions?  Email Patrick Quigley or Sue Keisler or Monica Martinez

Join or Donate to Team xMinds Here