Cyclist Karey Collins rode in the Hershey Tour de Pink last October and plans to participate again this year.
She will be holding a fund-raiser from 6-9 p.m. Friday, May 8 at Main Street Bicycles (176 S. Washington St. in the Oxford Marketplace) to raise money for breast cancer research.
The ‘Ladies Night? will be filled with food, drinks, massages, door prizes, information about riding and sales specials.
‘We have a few women that have come into Main Street Bicycles and asked about riding,? said Collins. ‘I have found a lot of them are just scared. They are always braver in numbers.?
Collins also noted a lot of potential riders don’t know where to go or what they need.
‘I am trying to get rid of those barriers and get them to meet more people with the same interest, give them information and raise money for breast cancer at the same time,? she added.
Collins has been riding for the past 15 years and is a certified coach.
She can answer a lot of the questions potential and beginning riders have and has maps and routes for places to ride.
During the Ladies Night, Collins will also be giving a seminar about an upcoming race in September that is 75 miles long, beginning in Fenton and ending in Oxford.
The merchandise sold during the night is geared towards women and anything sold will go towards breast cancer.
They will also have items for youth riders, which Collins noted are hard to find.
Renee Felix, a yoga instructor, will demonstrate and answer questions on which yoga poses are most beneficial for cyclists.
Collins and three other women rode in the 220-mile bike tour last year for the first time.
‘It was really fun and satisfying,? she said about the experience. ‘I also helped three local moms train for the event. It was great to help others.?
She got the idea for the fundraiser through different chat rooms. ‘They had some success with it and I heard some shops have done it.?
Besides raising money, Collins would also like to get a bigger riding community going in Oxford with women riders.
‘I spend all my time riding with the men, but it would be more fun with the girls,? she added. ‘I think for a lot of moms and family, if it’s something that is going to benefit them they are more inclined to do it.
Collins welcomes women to come by, have a snack, register to win a door prize, and help her in her goal to raise $5,000 for breast cancer. A donation at the door is appreciated, but isn’t required.
For more information, please contact Collins at (248) 505-0221.