Fat Bike Rally 2026
Postponing an event based on weather certainly comes with risks. Our Richard Tom Foundation (RTF) Fat Bike Rally was originally scheduled for February 8 at Catamount Outdoor Family Center (COFC). Well, winter roared in with sub, to near zero, temperatures predicted for that day. The prospect of frozen hands and feet, low attendance, and general […]
Summer Trail Bliss: Reflecting on the Richmond River Trail Project
The summer of 2025 brought with it not just sunshine, but also a wonderful display of community spirit on the beloved Richmond River Trail! We’re taking a moment to reflect on a major highlight from late July when the Richard Tom Foundation teamed up with the local Richmond Trails Committee to tackle essential trail maintenance. […]
2025 Fall Gravel Ride
In contrast to our Spring Richard’s Ride (wind, heavy rain, hail, thunder, lightning) our Fall Gravel Ride delivered perfect weather: Sunshine, cool but not cold, with little or no wind. Riders arrived by bike and car, with participation at around 60. This was a satisfying turnout for this event, which serves as a thank you from RTF to the local cycling community.
Bikes for Friends (BFF) Program
About Bikes for Friends (BFF) Program Through the RTF Bikes for Friends Program, we award bikes and a helmet to adults or children who may not have the opportunity or means to discover the joys or practicalities of cycling. Our Partners Thanks to several GMBC members, we have received some high-level, excellent-condition bikes. These bikes made […]
2025 Richard’s Ride
BAM!! ⛈ AND CRACK! ⚡️ Those were the sounds and the drenching wetness that accompanied the riders of Richard’s 70 as they ascended “Richard’s Surprise” on Buck Hollow Road. I guess it had to happen after nine years of favorable weather. On our tenth edition of Richard’s Ride (Powered by VBT and many other sponsors) […]
2025 Fat Bike Rally
RTF once again partnered with the Catamount Outdoor Family Center (COFC) to host our 2025 Fat Bike Rally. In 2024 there was worry about too little snow. This year was a 180o turn with too much snow! However, thanks to Andy (COFC groomer) we had exceptional conditions. With an estimated fifty riders we had a […]
Old Spokes Home: Multicultural Youth Apprenticeship Program
News from Sarah Camille Wilson, Executive Director of the Old Spokes Home: I’d like to share a few highlights from this summer’s Youth Apprenticeship Program, and to thank the Richard Tom Foundation for your support this year. The 2024 cohort of the Multicultural Youth Apprenticeship Program (a collaboration between Old Spokes Home and Spectrum Youth […]
2024 Fall Gravel Ride
The highlight of our fall season was our Annual RTF Gravel Ride. I drove to Cochran’s under gray skies and pouring rain seeking music on Sirius XM (Dave Matthews) to try to cheer myself up. It kind of worked! As I drove closer, the rain subsided to more of a misty and cool wetness with […]
2024 Richard’s Ride
Richard’s Ride reflects Richard’s spirit and a continuation of his legacy which throughout his professional career was centered around bicycles. Nine years have now passed since losing Richard as a result of poor driving decisions and a vulnerable rider. Nine years during which Richard could have been happily riding one of his many bikes through […]
2024 Fat Bike Rally
We had some snow leading into our Fat Bike Rally, co-hosted by Catamount Outdoor Family Center (Catamount) and the Richard Tom Foundation (RTF). Things were looking promising from about a week out. And then…. And then…. The Winter of 2024 reared its ambivalent head, for the umpteenth time, delivering a warm spell that disintegrated our […]
