Central Cycling Classic
Mark your calendars! The next Central Cycling Classic is June 28, 2025!
This thrilling event invites you to join forces with fellow cyclists in a quest that goes beyond the pedals. You're in for an unforgettable experience!
Embark on a journey of endurance and camaraderie with diverse route options to match every rider's preference. From the challenging Century (100.3 miles) to the scenic Family Fun Ride (7.0 miles), there's a route for every skill level.
"From Pink Leotards to Pedals: The Inspiring Evolution of Community Wellness Initiatives"
Roger Green, a Penn State graduate in kinesiology, had a passion for promoting health and wellness, a drive that landed him a job at Restek, a Bellefonte-based corporation specializing in chromatography products. His enthusiasm for community well-being soon found a focus when his co-worker, Melissa Auckerman, suggested an in-house cycling event to benefit Centre Volunteers in Medicine (CVIM).
The first Restek cycling event for CVIM in 2006 was modest, but it set the stage for something much larger. The following year, a dramatic transformation in one employee's health inspired Roger to make a bold, albeit humorous, pledge. Under a trainer's guidance, this employee lost 115 pounds in six months and celebrated by donning an all-pink outfit—leotard, headband, wristbands, and socks. Roger quipped that he would ride his bike all day in the same garish pink attire if they could raise $1,000 for CVIM.
News of Roger’s challenge spread rapidly, and within 90 minutes, they had surpassed the goal. Roger found himself cycling in pink, but the success and enthusiasm it generated planted the seeds for something much bigger.
In 2007, Roger set an even more ambitious goal: to raise $5,500 to purchase a portable dental unit for CVIM. He promised that if they met this target, he would cycle from Bellefonte to Boston the following year to coincide with the Boston Marathon, where Restek employees were participating in the “Run for CVIM Challenge.” True to his word, when the employees raised the funds, Roger embarked on a grueling 500-mile ride over five days.
Despite the physical toll, the ride from Bellefonte to Boston was a transformative experience for Roger. Recognizing the potential for a larger, sustained effort, Paul Silvis, the founder of Restek, suggested turning the event into a broader community initiative. Thus, the Central Cycling Classic was born.
In 2008, Roger invited fellow cyclists to join him for the first leg of his journey. Around 60 Restek employees and cycling enthusiasts from the community participated, contributing donations to CVIM and riding varying distances alongside Roger. Among them was Bob Ford, who would later join Roger in organizing the annual event.
The Central Cycling Classic evolved from a corporate fundraiser into a beloved community event, channeling the collective passion of local cyclists to support CVIM’s mission. Roger’s pink leotard challenge had ignited a spirit of giving and camaraderie that continued to flourish, making a significant impact on the health and wellness of the community.
