Fight for The Ascent's future - Commit now, pay later

It's time to take a stand and make your pledge to support women's cycling. If we don't reach our 2,000 rider or $195K target for The Ascent ride, we will not be able to run our women-only event in Victoria's Yarra Ranges on Sunday 23 April, 2017.

At Bicycle Network, we believe that 50% of all people who ride bikes should be women. Currently the stats tell us that only one in three bike riders are women.

This year, we took a stand to address this imbalance. We launched The Ascent, our first women's-only riding program and event through Victoria’s stunning Yarra Ranges. 

We know that great things take time and now, more than ever, we're passionate to see our dream of 50/50 become a reality – but we can’t do it alone. 

As part of our journey, we're aiming to run another women's-only bike ride through the Yarra Ranges. Held on closed roads, the fully supported event includes some of Victoria’s favourite riding destinations, including the climb of the 1 in 20. When it comes to the route selection, traffic management and on-route support, all elements of The Ascent have been planned with women in mind.

But as a non-profit, for-purpose organisation charged with the responsibility of turning Australia into a nation of bike riders, it’s financially irresponsible of us to run the event without more riders. 

Through crowdfunding, we need to raise $195,000 or secure 2,000 event entries to cover the costs of running The Ascent ride on Sunday 23 April, 2017. Sadly, if we don’t reach this target by Friday 27 January, 2017 we’ll have to put the event on hold. 

We need more than your verbal commitment – we need you to take a stand for all women who ride. Together, we can turn our 50/50 dream into a reality. 

Buy an entry for yourself, your friends and family or donate any amount you can afford. Anyone donating will only be charged if and when our target is reached. 

Pledge your support for The Ascent and the future of women’s cycling today.

For more about the event or program, visit theascent.com.au.