​The 2020 Gateway Ride Challenge

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, current social distancing regulations, and uncertainties for August 1st, Gateway Woods has canceled their on-site auction and will be conducting a virtual auction spanning 3 days:  July 30th, July 31st and August 1st. For the health and safety of our riders and SAG crew and to fully support Gateway Wood’s decision we feel it is necessary to change the format of our 2020 Gateway Woods ride. It deeply saddens us to announce that we will not be riding as a group to Gateway Woods this year. This was a very difficult decision and we are disappointed by this, but we know that God reigns supreme, and Lord willing, we will plan on returning to the full ride experience in 2021. 

Our Gateway Woods Ride has always been about fundraising for Gateway Woods at the time of their local auction. Team224’s mission is to fulfill the teachings of Matthew 25: 35 – 36: "For I was hungered, and you gave me meat: I was thirsty and you gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked and ye clothed me: I was sick and ye visited me:..", and our goal is promoting the spirit of giving along with a healthy lifestyle. To continue our mission and goal, our 2020 ride format is going to have to change.

​We are asking participants to register, optionally donate and collect donations through your own sponsor page, and then ride locally where you live. This 8 day challenge is to ride at least 24 miles beginning July 22nd and ending July 29th before the virtual auction begins on July 30th. This can be done individually or in small groups that comply with all local social distancing and other regulations in your specific area. You may also choose to raise this mileage suggestion and challenge yourself with a higher goal. Please note that Team224 is unable to support, sanction or oversee any local group rides and we encourage you to follow all local guidelines concerning COVID-19.

This year the Gateway Ride is for everyone.
​No waiting lists, no travel; your schedule, your pace.

With this format of local riding and the optional shorter 24 mile distance we encourage you to recruit the participation of friends, family, children, co-workers and others in your local church. You can ride all 8 days and rack up a lot of miles. You could ride a few miles with a friend who hasn’t biked before.  You could make it a family event and get your entire family out there with you.  Or perhaps you would like to ride 24 miles by yourself and then another 24 miles with other people new to biking.  It's your ride, your schedule, your pace. The exciting facet of the 2020 Gateway Challenge is that it is something that everyone can do!
You can still register and order shirts until registration closes on July 31st.
​Shirts will be shipped in early August.

The registration fee is $55 and includes a blue or yellow shirt, with $50 going to Gateway Woods and $5 going towards shipping. There is also a youth registration option for $25. You have the option to get additional shirts for $15 at the Team 224 Donation Store with a portion of the proceeds going to Gateway Woods. Sign up by July 5th to receive your shirt by the beginning of the challenge. Take a selfie or short video on your own or with your friends and let us know how many miles and where you are riding. Send them to our Dropbox (instructions to follow) and we will use them in a video to air sometime during the auction.  

​The year 2020 has brought more then it's fair share of uncertainty, change and heartbreak. Not only are we riding to support Gateway Woods but we are riding to honor the life and memory of our dear friend Lizzie Gasser. Lizzie was a vital part of our Team 224 family and we are heartbroken by her passing. She will be missed by all that came to know and love her. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: 2 Timothy 4:7

We are truly saddened to have to give up the long-distance multi team ride to Gateway Woods for their auction this year, but we are hopeful that we will be able to resume the original format in 2021. Above all, we hope to glorify God by our Team 224 response to the current health threat while still honoring our mission to serve others by promoting the spirit of giving and a healthy, active lifestyle.

​Keep riding, stay healthy, bless others, be blessed.