Dick Gelfman's Ride Across Maryland

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The following is a listing of recent press releases about the Ride Across Maryland. Some of these items are from our previous Ride years. Please let us know if you have any question about the Ride or would like more information. Simply contact our staff at 410-992-9999.

Ex-anchorman carries a heart of gold - Feb. 13, 2007

Read the full article about our founder, Dick Gelfman

WJZ Live Shot from the Timonium Motorcycle Show - Feb. 12, 2007

Check out a live TV spot about the Ride Across Maryland!

For Immediate Release: February 12, 2007

DICK GELFMAN'S RIDE ACROSS MARYLAND REVS UP FOR ANOTHER RECORD-BREAKING RIDE TO FIGHT BREAST CANCER

On June 2, 2007, over 1000 motorcyclists will rev up their engines and take to the road to raise money in the fight against breast cancer. The 7th Annual Dick Gelfman's Ride Across Maryland is a two-day event that offers avid motorcyclists 6 different locations to depart from before heading across the state to Ocean City, Maryland. During the past six years, the non-profit Ride Across Maryland Foundation has donated over $880,000.00 to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

This year's "main" departure point is again The Mall in Columbia, where motorcyclists will gather from 7:00 am to 9:00 am before riding to Ocean City. The mall kick-off includes a wonderful breakfast provided by our Mall Sponsors - Starbucks, Pan era Bread, PF Chang's, Champps, & the Great Harvest Bread Company. The kick-off rally has all the best ingredients- food, celebrities, (including Mr. Gelfman himself) music and more - for a great start. At 9:00 am, after all the well-wishes and fun, the motorcyclists are led by police escort to the Bay Bridge for a unique and spectacular experience of crossing the bridge in a united cause.

In addition, the Ride offers four other points throughout Maryland and one in Gettysburg, PA. Each departure point boasts magnificent sights and scenic routes on the way to the Francis Scott Key Family Resort in Ocean City, our host resort for the 3rd year in a row.

"It's a winning combination. Bikers have a chance to do things that mean the most to them - enjoy an amazing ride and spend their time and money to stamp out a disease that affects so many people," says Dick Gelfman, who created and leads the foundation. (Dick is an enthusiastic biker - although he is best known as a reporter at WJZ TV, the CBS affiliate in Baltimore.) "Being part of this effort gives each of us the chance to share in something pretty extraordinary."

Riders come from Maryland, DC, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Delaware and other states along the East Coast. As in past years, we have had riders come from as far away as California.

Participants pay a one-time registration fee and then raise additional money by getting family and friends to sponsor them. Riders then compete for individual and team awards and receive various premiums based on how much money they raise. This year, the grand prize to be drawn at random in Ocean City, is a Tropical Paradise Trip for two. The trip includes round trip airfare from BWI to Miami, Florida and includes a motorcycle tour through Key Largo, Key West, Florida City, Naples and Orlando.

Once in Ocean City, motorcyclists will find food, live music by Walter J & Texas Flood, the Nighthawks and Biker Billy's "Cooking with Fire" Show. The event also showcases a wide variety of vendors so participants can check out the latest gear, accessories and related products and services. "It's a terrific way to make new friends and to catch up with old ones. Many riders have already made this a yearly tradition and consider it the highlight of the season," says Gelfman.

Proceeds from this 7th annual Ride will once again be donated to the fight against breast cancer. For more information about the Ride Across Maryland Foundation, a 501 (c) 3 charitable organization or to receive registration information, visit their website at www.rideacrossmaryland.org or call 410-992-9999.

For Immediate Release: February 13, 2006

DICK GELFMAN'S RIDE ACROSS MARYLAND REVS UP FOR ANOTHER RECORD- BREAKING RIDE TO FIGHT BREAST CANCER

On June 3, as part of Dick Gelfman's Ride Across Maryland, MORE THAN 1,000 motorcyclists will start their engines and hit the road for a two-day ride from DEPARTURE POINTS ACROSS THE STATE to Ocean City to raise money for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. During the past five years, the non-profit Ride Across Maryland Foundation has donated nearly $660,000 to the battle against breast cancer.

This year's MAIN DEPARTURE POINT IS ONCE AGAIN The Mall in Columbia, WHERE MOTORCYCLISTS WILL GATHER FROM 7AM TO 9AM BEFORE DEPARTING FOR OCEAN CITY. THE OTHER DEPARTURE LOCATIONS ARE ARE SPREAD OUT OVER MARYLAND. BUT WHATEVER THE DEPARTURE POINT, THERE ARE MAGNIFICENT SIGHTS TO SEE ACROSS THE SCENIC ROUTES TO THE FRANCIS SCOTT KEY RESORT IN OCEAN CITY, WHICH IS ONE AGAIN THE HOST RESORT FOR THE RIDE.

"It's a winning combination. Bikers have a chance to do the things that mean the most to them- enjoy an amazing ride and spend their time and money to stamp out a disease that affects so many people," says Dick Gelfman, who created and leads the foundation. (Dick is an enthusiastic biker- although he is best known as a reporter at WJZ TV, the CBS affiliate in Baltimore.) "Being part of this efforts gives each of us the chance to share in something pretty extraordinary."

RIDERS WILL COME FROM MARYLAND, PENNSYLVANIA, VIRGINIA, DELAWARE AND ALL ACROSS THE EAST COAST TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS EVENT. AS IN YEARS PAST, THEY'VE COME from as far away as California. Participants pay a one-time registration fee and THEN raise additional money BY GETTING FAMILY AND FRIENDS TO SPONSOR THEM. IN YEARS PAST, INDIVIDUAL RIDERS HAVE RAISED AS MUCH AS $12,000 EACH AS THEY COLLECT THEIR PLEDGES. RIDERS ARE REWARDED WITH PREMIUMS, SUCH AS EMBROIDERED SHIRTS, BASED ON THE AMOUNT OF MONEY THEY RAISE.

THIS YEAR, THE GRAND PRIZE, TO BE DRAWN AN RANDOM IN OCEAN CITY, IS A VALUABLE MOTORCYCLE TRAILER .. ONE BIG ENOUGH TO TRANSPORT TWO MOTORCYCLES.

After the fanfare-filled sendoff in Columbia AND THE OTHER DEPARTURE POINTS, motorcyclists will find food, live music, entertainment and the chance to check out the latest gear, accessories and related PRODUCTS AND services in Ocean City. "It's a terrific way to make new friends and to catch up with old ones. Many riders have already made this a yearly tradition and consider it the highlight of the season," says Gelfman.

Proceeds from the sixth annual ride will once again benefit the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. The Komen mission is to eradicate breast cancer as a life-threatening disease through research, education, screenings and treatment.

For more information about the Ride Across Maryland Foundation, a 501(c)3 charitable organization, the 2004 Ride, or to receive registration information, visit the organization on the web at www.rideacrossmaryland.org or call 410-992-9999.

COMCAST INTERVIEW WITH DICK GELFMAN ABOUT RIDE ACROSS MARYLAND 2005 IN OCEAN CITY

Dick Gelfman's interview with Comcast will be airing in the following areas May 23-29:

Baltimore County: channel 59
Harford County: channel 52
Howard County: channel 55
Anne Arundel County: channel 28
Annapolis: channel 43

The spots air at :55 past the hour each day throughout the week.

DICK GELFMAN'S RIDE ACROSS MARYLAND REVS UP FOR ANOTHER RECORD- BREAKING RIDE TO FIGHT BREAST CANCER

March 25, 2004

On June 5, as part of Dick Gelfman's Ride Across Maryland, approximately 1,000 motorcyclists will start their engines and hit the road for a two-day ride from Howard County to Western Maryland to raise money for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. During the past three years, the non-profit Ride Across Maryland Foundation has donated nearly $400,000 to the battle against breast cancer.

This year's annual excursion begins at 9 a.m. at The Mall in Columbia and gives bikers the chance to see several magnificent, scenic routes as they ride to Deep Creek Lake and the WISP resort in McHenry.

About 1,000 riders of all ages are expected to take part- from Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Delaware, although as they have in past years, they could come from as far away as California. Participants pay a one-time registration fee of $25 and raise an additional $75 or more in sponsorship pledges. Each rider receives a T-shirt, a pin, route guides and a goodie bag. In addition, they can earn prizes based on the amount of money they raise. This year's grand prize is a motorcycle tour for two throughout the American Southwest, which includes air fair, bike rentals and accommodations.

After the fanfare-filled sendoff in Columbia, motorcyclists will find food, live music, entertainment and the chance to check out the latest gear, accessories and related services at WISP. "It's a terrific way to make new friends and to catch up with old ones. Many riders have already made this a yearly tradition and consider it the highlight of the season," says Gelfman.

Proceeds from the fourth annual ride will once again benefit the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. The Komen mission is to eradicate breast cancer as a life-threatening disease through research, education, screenings and treatments.

For more information about the Ride Across Maryland Foundation (which is a 501(c)3 charity), the 2004 Ride or to receive registration information, visit the organization on the web at www.rideacrossmaryland.org or call 410-992-9999.

Gelfman comes roaring back for biker benefit

For the third year, Columbia resident and WJZ-TV personality Dick Gelfman will lead a contingent of motorcyclists on a Ride Across Maryland to benefit the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.

The Channel 13 consumer-affairs reporter has been off the air since July, recuperating from a serious automobile accident. He has gotten the OK to ride from his doctor, he notes, but not yet from his wife.

"This is the longest time that I haven't ridden since I was 14," when, unbeknownst to his parents, he drove Vespa motor scooters from a dealership in Northampton, Mass., across the state to collegiate customers on campuses in Boston, Gelfman said.

But on May 31, he'll be back in the saddle, either on his Harley-Davidson Ultra Classic or in an ordinary car. The 200-plus-mile ride will begin at the Columbia mall, head west, and end at Deep Creek Lake in Garrett County.

Gelfman, his wife, Lenore, a Howard County District Court judge, and their three daughters will stay at the Wisp Resort Hotel for the festive weekend.

He wouldn't miss it. With his family together, "it's the best weekend of the whole year," said Gelfman, who, with a 38-member board, has been organizing the weekends for four years.

His family has been on board since the inception of the event.

"We were talking about ways to raise money for worthwhile charities, and how many of the things we did anyway had the capability of being bigger fund-raisers," Gelfman said.

Bikers, Gelfman maintains, suffer from an image problem and are truly generous, regularly going out on weekends to raise money for worthy causes.

Under those helmets are doctors, lawyers, insurance salesmen, accountants, motorcycle shop owners and other businessmen, says the reporter, whose own leather jacket bears the logo of the Blue Knights, a group of current and retired law-enforcement professionals.

Riding high for Komen

The 2002 Ride Across Maryland brought in more than $150,000. From its first year, the ride has been the biggest donor to Komen in Maryland after Walk for the Cure, the Komen Foundation's own event.

This year, an anticipated 1,000 participants will take over the Deep Creek area for a weekend. Gelfman says that even last year people were booking rooms as far as 30 miles away from host Wisp Resort.

Some riders drive straight through, others take longer, more scenic drives. Four routes are suggested in a guide developed by the board: the express, mountain, and tourist routes, plus the new "crazy route" which zigzags past yet more sights.

As well as raising money to fight breast cancer, the riders are doing their bit for Maryland tourism, Gelfman said.

At Wisp, music and entertainment go on all day and evening, with Columbia disc jockey Bobby Nyk and the Poison Whiskey Band performing.

During the festivities, organizers will raffle off a grand prize motorcycle trip for two through the U.S. Southwest and give awards for top fund-raisers.

Riders pay a $25 registration fee and must also raise at least $75. Last year's big winner brought in a hefty $5,400, Gelfman reports.

From its beginning, the Ride Across Maryland has been associated with the Komen Foundation, whose mission is to advance research, education, screening and treatment of breast cancer, but that doesn't mean no other recipient would be considered.

In fact, the board entertains grant proposals in hopes that as breast cancer diagnosis and treatment improve, it can share the money it raises with other charities.

Registration for the Ride Across Maryland begins at 7 a.m., with riders leaving the Columbia mall at 9 a.m. They'll have a police escort to West Friendship, where they'll divide according to their chosen courses.

DICK GELFMAN’S RIDE ACROSS MARYLAND TO BEGIN MAY 31ST
Annual Motorcycle Journey Benefits Fight Against Breast Cancer

Baltimore, MD. On May 31st and June 1st, approximately 1,000 motorcyclists will take a scenic journey to Western Maryland to raise funds for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. Participants in the ride, who raise sponsorship dollars for the cause, will depart from the Mall in Columbia at 9 a.m. on Saturday morning and enjoy entertainment and hospitality at the Wisp Resort in McHenry, Maryland, on Saturday night. The third annual Ride Across Maryland is presented by the non-profit Ride Across Maryland Foundation. Under the leadership of Dick Gelfman, the organization has raised over a quarter of a million dollars for the fight against breast cancer.

“Bikers embrace the opportunity to enjoy their hobby, while advancing a good cause,” says Dick Gelfman (who is himself an avid biker), “The growth of our ride to over 800 participants last year is evidence of their generosity. We look forward to our numbers continuing to increase, and to the opportunity of spreading the wealth to other community charities as well.”

Last year, the Ride netted over $150,000 for the Susan G. Komen Foundation’s Maryland affiliate, whose mission is to eradicate breast cancer as a life-threatening disease by advancing research, education, screening and treatment.

Ride Across Maryland participants pay a one-time registration fee of $25. They then raise sponsorship dollars for the Ride. Riders must raise an additional $75 from sponsors.
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Passengers raise an additional $25. Participants earn rewards and prizes based on the amount of money they raise for the cause. A drawing is held for the grand prize—a motorcycle trip for two through the U.S. Southwest. All participants receive prizes for participation, a ride guide detailing different scenic routes to Western Maryland, as well as entertainment, food and beverage at the Wisp resort. Live entertainment and a variety of vendors of motorcycle gear and related services are also part of the festival-atmosphere in Western Maryland.

The majority of Ride participants have historically come from the state of Maryland (from every county). Virginia, Delaware and Pennsylvania are also represented and some riders come from as far away as Calfornia. Those who participate range in age from young children (who ride as passengers with their parents) to senior citizens. Even those without motorcycles have been known to lend their help the Ride—cars are welcome in the scenic journey and related festivities.

The Ride Across Maryland Foundation is a 501(c)3 charitable organization dedicated to raising funds via motorcycle events for contribution to other community non-profits. For more information on the organization and this year’s Ride Across Maryland, interested parties may call 410.992.9999 or visit www.rideacrossmaryland.org online.

RIDE ACROSS MARYLAND 2001
DONATES $100,000 TO SUSAN G. KOMEN BREAST CANCER FOUNDATION

The Ride Across Maryland Foundation, Inc. has announced that it’s 2-day charity motorcycle ride from Columbia to Wisp and Deep Creek Lake was so successful in its inaugural year that it was able to donate $100,000 to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.

Approximately 800 motorcyclists joined in on the ride, traveling through scenic roads to Western Maryland. The Wisp Hotel Resort was the host hotel, and there were so many riders that the event packed motels and bed and breakfasts throughout Garrett County.

In announcing the donation, WJZ-TV’s Dick Gelfman, who is also President of the Ride Across Maryland Foundation, said “we always know that we can count on bikers in the State of Maryland to step up to the plate for important charitable event. This time, they not only stepped up to the plate, they hit a grand slam home run.”

Komen representative Patty Hanson, who was present at the event to receive the donation said that she was “stunned” by the size of the donation, and “by the dedication of all those who worked so hard to do so much good.”

Entertainment for the weekend was provided by Bobby Nyk of Harmonyk Sounds and by the popular rock band, “Great Train Robbery”.

Plans are already in the works for the Ride Across Maryland 2002. The Foundation said that the Ride will once again take place the first weekend in June, 2002, at a location that will soon be announced.

Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation
To Benefit from Motorcycle Ride

     The Ride Across Maryland Foundation has Announced that the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation-Maryland has been as the beneficiary for it's 2001 two-day, charity motorcycle ride. The event will take place from June 2nd to June 3rd, 2001, leaving from the Mall in Columbia, traveling through the western part of the state, and ending at the Wisp Hotel Resort at Deep Creek Lake, Maryland.

     The annual event, which each year will travel to a different part of Maryland, is led by Channel 13's Dick Gelfman, who is an avid motorcyclist. "The idea for the event grew out of a desire to see that others benefit from something that we enjoy so much", Gelfman said. "Motorcyclist today come from every walk of life. But there one thing they all have in common is the desire to help others in worthwhile events such as the ride for the Komen Foundation. Not only will it be a terrific two-day ride, but we'll get to put some money to work where it is desperately needed."

     The ride is open to all motorcycles and will depart on June 2, rain or shine. Rest stops are planned along the way, as are side trips to places like Fort Frederick. Upon arrival at the host resort, there will be dinner, entertainment (including Bobby Nyk of Harmonic Sounds) and the presentation of awards and prizes. The Grand Prize this year is a one-week stay at a two-bedroom, oceanfront, Ocean City condominium , valued at over $1,300.

     After a preregistration fee of just $25, riders need to raise $75 in pledges to qualify for the ride. The hope is that much more than the minimum will be raised. Those wishing to register for the event can call 410-992-9999 or write to Ride Across Maryland Foundation, 9123 Route 108, Columbia, Maryland 21045. They will be mailed a preregistration form and pledge kit.

Saturday March 17, 8 - 9am 2002

On WJZ, Channel 13, Eyewitness News Morning Show, Dick Gelfman will be discussing the Ride Across Maryland, the reason for the ride, the routes, the events that are scheduled, etc.