On July 29th AE Cares held its 2ndAnnual Ride the River event at Juneau Park in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Riders were greeted by a beautiful sunny day, perfect for biking along Milwaukee’s scenic Oak Leaf Trail that winds through shady Milwaukee parks as well as along the Milwaukee River. Prior to starting the ride attendees gathered to enjoy music, beverages, and snacks to ensure they were well fed, hydrated, and pumped up to complete the 11 mile journey.
Once the clock hit 10:30 am it was time for riders to mount their bikes and get on their way. Riders were thanked for attending by DJ Corey and Joe Mattioli who organized the event, and Tammie Briggs from i.c.stars shared how excited they were to be part of the day. Each year AE Cares chooses two beneficiaries of the events fundraising, this year we partnered with i.c.stars Milwaukee and the Stars and Stripes Honor Flight. i.c.stars works with low-income young adults to connect them with employment and professional opportunities in the field of technology. The Stars and Stripes Honor Flight honors Veterans by providing them with a life-changing trip to Washington D.C. to visit the memorials while experiencing a day of honor and thanks.
AE Cares was proud to support these two organizations, whose values and missions closely align with the AE Cares mission and vision.
Once the thank you’s were completed, the riders were off! Although this ride is not a race, many riders chose to get a fast start in hopes of leading the pack on the trail.
Half-way through the route the riders took a pit-stop at the Estabrook Park Beer Garden, for a well-earned beverage of their choice. There attendees mingled, enjoyed their drinks, and took in the beautiful scenery that Estabrook Park has to offer. Estabrook Park is also a popular spot for riders to get in a few group photos – and action shots of them biking in.
Finally, riders hopped back onto their bikes and headed back towards Juneau Park where their journey began. As riders "crossed the finish line" they were greeted by cheers of those who had waited at the park and those who completed the ride before them.
We couldn't be more grateful to all those who rode in or donated to Ride the River 2023. We hope to see everyone again at next years Ride the River for Charity event. In the meantime, be sure to keep up with AE Cares to find out how you can support our mission throughout the year.
