Project Rwanda
In December 2005, Ritchey and Gary Boulanger were invited to tour Rwanda by bicycle. They were asked to develop a racing team, opening a bicycle assembly factory, designing a transportation/cargo-hauling bicycle, and establishing a mountain bike safari touring company. Three months later, Ritchey sent his friend Jared Miller to Rwanda to explore possibilities, and Project Rwanda was born.
On September 16, 2006, the first annual Rwandan Wooden Bike Classic was held in Karongi. More than 3,000 Rwandans filled Karongi Stadium and lined the streets to watch the country's first mountain bike race. North American Tour de France pioneers Jock Boyer and Alex Stieda raced alongside Ritchey. Ritchey continued to help Project Rwanda by participating in Ride 4 Rwanda, a fundraising event in Santa Barbara, CA, on February 2, 2008. Ritchey joined 100 participants, many students at Santa Barbara Middle School, in a coastal bike ride to raise funding for bike parts and mechanical support for Rwandan coffee workers. Ritchey helped the non-profit organization Bikes to Rwanda.
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