The 2017 Barouduer, Wayne State University’s third annual urban cycling event, will be held on Saturday, Aug. 19, 2017. Registration is now open.
Proceeds directly benefit Wayne State University scholarships and the university’s Helping Individuals Go Higher (HIGH) program, which supports students whose unstable housing situations threaten their dreams of earning a degree.
“The Baroudeur continues to grow, and we’re excited to build on the success of previous years,” said Matt Lockwood, ride director and WSU’s director of communications. “More than a third of last year’s riders participated in a post-event survey, and 97 percent of them rated the overall Baroudeur experience as excellent or very good.”
This year, participants can choose between three courses – 20, 62 or 100 miles – based on their individual experience and fitness levels. All Baroudeur courses are on the open road, and cyclists will be riding with vehicular traffic and must obey traffic laws.
Riders are encouraged to register early and take advantage of early bird pricing:
- Through June 18: $50
- June 19 – July 18: $60
- July 19 – August 15: $70
Event registration will end at midnight on Tuesday, Aug. 15.
The Baroudeur is a fun, noncompetitive event, but the distances require increasing levels of physical fitness. To help participants prepare, training rides will be held once again this year on Tuesday evenings at 6 p.m., beginning May 2. Additional details about these free, no-drop training rides — and other ways to prepare for the Baroudeur — can be found online.
“If people are unable to or not interested in cycling in the event, we encourage all members of the campus community to support The Baroudeur and financially stressed students by volunteering,” said Lockwood. “Last year’s success can be attributed in large part to our 300 volunteers.”
Anyone interested in volunteering can sign up online.
Participants and volunteers are invited to enjoy a post-ride party on campus with lunch, beer and music.
To further support WSU students in need, a Crowdrise page has been launched. Riders, as well as faculty, staff, alumni and other members of the campus community, can donate or raise money in support of student scholarships and the HIGH program.
“Crowdfunding makes it possible to make a bigger impact, and we’ve got some great incentives planned for those who raise the most,” said Lockwood. “For some students, just a few hundred dollars can make the difference between staying in school and dropping out. Any amount can help fill the gap.”
To learn more, or register, visit baroudeur.wayne.edu.