On April 26, 2015, Richard Tom, a beloved and avid cyclist from Hinesburg, Vermont, lost his life when a speeding and impaired driver struck him one-half mile from his home as he began a solo bicycle ride on an otherwise quiet and peaceful morning. Courageous rescue attempts by neighbors could not bring him back to this life, as he was released to the next with wishes of love and caring.
An outpouring of love and affection for Richard was expressed the following Sunday when 400 cyclists gathered to honor and remember Richard at his Memorial Ride. Hinesburg Chief of Police, Frank Koss and Vermont State Police Lieutenant Scott provided lead and following vehicles. Concurrently, during that tumultuous week, the Richard Tom Foundation was formed and soon thereafter was chartered as a 501(c)(3) charity organization.
This mission of the Richard Tom Foundation contains several key elements:
* Sustain and build on Richard’s legacy by promoting and hosting events that reflect his spirit of fun, fitness, and adventure gained through cycling in Vermont.
* Provide scholarship and financial support to organizations that build life experience, mentoring, and skill building to children through participation in cycling camps. The Foundation has initiated this aspect of our mission by creating partnerships with Little Bellas and Catamount Family Center, both of which offer summer cycling camps to young children.
* Advocate for safe riding and safe driving practices and also advocate for legislative action to increase the safety of vulnerable users of roads.
Sabra Davison of Little Bella’s stated: “Richard Tom supported Little Bellas from our formative years in Vermont. His enthusiasm helped move girls into the program and get them riding the right bikes. We are honored to continue his support of the program through the Richard Tom Foundation.”
Richard’s Ride 2017
On May 20, 2017, the Richard Tom Foundation will be hosting the second annual Richard’s Ride. This ride will be different from other organized rides in that there will be strong participation from children and families. Richard, while working at Earl’s Cyclery and Fitness, took great joy in helping parents and children select the perfect first bike or graduate to an upgrade. In the spirit of his connection to families and to cyclists of all ages and abilities, there will be several options ranging a 4.4 mile for Children’s Ride to a challenging 70-mile loop for advanced riders. To support safe riding for the Children’s ride, Cochran Road between Cochran’s Ski Area and Dugway Road will be closed from 11:00am until 1:00pm. All rides will be staged from the Cochran Ski Area base lodge on Cochran Road in Richmond, VT with t-shirts and post-ride meal provided to participants.
Richard’s Children’s Ride (road and trail): The Cochran Road will be closed to through traffic for the duration of this ride which will be a 4.4-mile out and back (those on mountain bikes can choose to ride back on the Winooski River trail). This ride is offered free of charge to children under 17.
Richard’s Family Ride: This ride consists of a 15-mile ride from the ski area out on Cochran Road and the Duxbury Road to the end of the pavement and return. This ride is targeted toward parents with children of an age who can manage this distance, including some rolling hills.
Richard’s 30: For more experienced riders, this ride will loop over rolling terrain through Richmond, Jericho, and Williston.
Richard’s 70: For advanced riders, this 70-mile loop will take cyclists from Richmond to Cambridge, Fletcher, and Fairfax with a return through Westford and Essex. Climbs and descents will test the endurance and fitness levels of even the most advanced riders.
Richard’s Mountain Bike Ride: The MTB route will be a technically challenging trail ride for experienced mountain bike aficionados.
The Richard Tom Foundation thanks our many individual donors who have helped the Richard Tom Foundation grow this year.
Learn more about the Richard Tom Foundation and Richard’s Ride at www.richardtomfoundation.com. To register for Richard’s Ride please go to www.bikereg.com/rtfoundation.
Contact:
John Williams, Executive Director, Richard Tom Foundation, 1645 Main Street, Fairfax, Vermont 05454
e-mail: jbikenski@gmail.com
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