May "Ride Lots! for a Cause" Bike Challenge

OK, we're a week into May, so this may be a little late to garner too much interest, BUT, now that the other two inferior sports have their respective copycat challenges going, some folks have asked to do another bike challenge this month. So here it goes, with a twist.

Will (waskelton) came up with the idea of having a fundraising BTer benefit from the challenge. One of the reasons I'm a little late is I wanted to check out some of the the particulars. I'm sure we haven't addressed every possible concern, but what we have seems to check out, so we'll give it a try this month.

First some rules, as those participating in last month's challenge know, I likes my rules :

• Set your goals based on actual outside mileage (no trainers or spin classes) for the entire month of May, including what you have ridden to date.
• 200-mile minimum goal (OK, we'll take less if you beg us!)
• $5 minimum pledge (It's only $0.16 per day), but don't be cheap! (Again, we'll take less if you beg us!)
• At the start, participants state their goal and their pledge, and may state their nominated beneficiary, but don't have to commit their vote until the end of the month.
• Pledge to be made if you don't make your goal (though if you want to, say, pledge half your amount if you are successful, we'll be OK with that).
• Participation is strictly voluntary, as is the payment of your pledge (honor system!). This is just a little challenge among friends, and in no way constitutes gambling. BT.com is not involved with this in any way except as a communication medium via these discussion boards.
• Successful challengers will pick the charity/beneficiary, and will get one vote for every mile they ride in May. (e.g., if I complete my goal and ride 514 miles this month, I will cast 514 votes to Kim's Diabetes ride next month).

At the end of the month, based on the vote of the successful challengers, we will designate one BTer's charity event as the challenge's beneficiary. Here are a few more rules regarding the beneficiary:

• Must at a minimum be a BT.com REGULAR (i.e., having been here at least 30 days with at least 50 posts);
• Must be doing an athletic event (bike ride, triathlon, etc.) as a fundraiser for a bona fide charity (may be subject to a validity check if not nationally known/recognized)
• Must have an online donations page to facilitate collection of pledges.

OK, enough with the rules (though we may see fit to add more later). Give me your goal and your pledge and (optional) your nominated beneficiary.