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Race profile

Pedal for Paratroopers

100K · 62 mi · 64K · 40 mi · 34K · 21 mi · 24 mi · 41 mi · 64 mi

Apr 18, 2026 · Southern Pines, North Carolina, US

Listed Jan 14, 2026

The read

Run Vibes summary

AI-assisted

At a glance (AI-assisted text)

Join the inaugural Pedal for Paratroopers, a tri-distance charity bike ride in Southern Pines, NC, supporting active-duty Paratroopers and Veterans with a focus on community and service.

The vibe (AI-assisted text)

This inaugural charity bicycle ride is all about community and service, welcoming cyclists of every age and skill level. The atmosphere promises to be supportive and inclusive, driven by the shared purpose of aiding active-duty Paratroopers and Veterans. Expect a warm, patriotic spirit as participants come together to pedal for a meaningful cause.

Best for (AI-assisted text)

This event is ideal for cyclists who want to contribute to a worthy cause while enjoying a relaxed, community-oriented ride. It's perfect for families, groups, or individuals looking for a supportive atmosphere rather than a competitive race.

Race day (AI-assisted text)

Packet pickup details aren't specified, but expect a friendly, community-focused start at McDeeds Creek Elementary. With staggered start times for the 100K, 64K, and 34K rides, the flow should be smooth and unhurried. While not officially timed, race clocks will be available for personal reference, emphasizing participation over competition. This is a rain or shine event, so come prepared for whatever April weather brings.

Personality (AI-assisted text)

The Pedal for Paratroopers ride embodies a spirit of gratitude and camaraderie, celebrating service members with every pedal stroke. It's a heartfelt event where the joy of cycling meets the profound satisfaction of giving back, fostering connections among participants who share a common purpose.

Weather snapshot (AI-assisted text)

Held in mid-April in Southern Pines, North Carolina, you can generally expect mild spring weather, though conditions can vary. Temperatures might range from cool mornings to pleasant afternoons. As a 'rain or shine' event, be ready for anything from sunny skies to potential spring showers.

Terrain & course feel (AI-assisted text)

As a charity bicycle ride, the routes are almost certainly on paved roads, likely through the local Southern Pines area. While specific elevation profiles aren't detailed, the provided Strava and RideWithGPS links suggest pre-planned road courses. Expect a mix of flat sections and gentle rolling hills typical of the region, suitable for a range of skill levels.

Signals we noticed (from listing text, AI-assisted)

  • Tri-Distance Charity Bicycle Ride
  • welcoming cyclists of all ages and skill levels
  • rain or shine event
  • focused on community, service, and the enduring Airborne spirit
  • All proceeds and donations benefit the All American Adventure Program
  • promotes resilience and mental health for at-risk active-duty Paratroopers and Veterans
  • not officially timed, though race clocks will be present for reference
  • Staggered Starts
  • Cyclists of all ages are welcome to participate at their own risk
  • Minors should be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian
  • first occurrence year: 2026

This section is produced with AI from the listing we have on file—think of it as a quick orientation, not a rulebook. Organizers can update start times, courses, policies, and perks at any time, so when something really matters, please lean on their official race page for the latest. We don’t independently verify every detail against live organizer updates; we’re here to help you get a feel for the event and decide if you want to dig deeper.

Original listingFull description from sourceExpand the official listing text (unchanged)

Pedal for Paratroopers – Tri-Distance Charity Bicycle Ride
Pedal for Paratroopers is a Tri-Distance Charity Bicycle Ride welcoming cyclists of all ages and skill levels to ride in support of those who serve. This is a rain or shine event focused on community, service, and the enduring Airborne spirit — All the Way.

Beneficiary
All proceeds and donations benefit the All American Adventure Program, which promotes resilience and mental health for at-risk active-duty Paratroopers and Veterans of the 82nd Airborne Division. The program provides access to counseling resources and restorative outdoor experiences such as kayaking, hiking, and equine therapy.

 
Event Location
Start/Finish:
McDeeds Creek Elementary
2953 Camp Easter Road
Southern Pines, NC 28387

Event parking is available on-site at McDeeds Creek Elementary.

 
Event Format & Start Times
This is a charity ride and is not officially timed, though race clocks will be present for reference.

Staggered Starts:

100K Ride – 8:00 AM
64K Ride – 8:10 AM
34K Ride – 8:20 AM
Cyclists of all ages are welcome to participate at their own risk. Minors should be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.

 
Routes


34K (24.2 miles)
PFP ALT 34K
https://www.strava.com/routes/3412389877102214494

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/53835055

64K (40.7 miles)
PFP ALT 64K
https://www.strava.com/routes/3412450651806677790

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/53839433

100K (64.0 miles)
PFP ALT 100K
https://www.strava.com/routes/3412394763913354014

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/53832201


 
Safety Information
Tail lights and Helmets are required for all riders and must be ANSI- or CPSC-approved.
This is an open-road ride. Riders must obey all traffic laws and ride safely at all times.
SAG trail vehicles will follow the last rider on each route to provide support as needed.
 
Packet Pickup
Early Packet Pickup:

📍 82nd Airborne Division Association

2915 Raeford Road (STE 201)

Fayetteville, NC 28303 


📅 April 13–17, 2026
⏰ 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Same-Day Packet Pickup & Registration:

📍 McDeeds Creek Elementary
⏰ Begins at 6:30 AM on event day

 
Registration Information
Online Registration: $65
Online Registration Closes: 11:59 PM on April 17, 2026
Same-Day Registration:

Online 12:00 AM on April 18, 2026

On-Site begins at 6:30 AM

$75 registration fee
Refund Policy:
Refunds may be considered for emergencies or extenuating circumstances.

 
What’s Included
Event T-shirt included with registration

T-shirts are guaranteed only for participants registered by April 1, 2026
Water and snacks  
Two on-course water and snack resupply points
Custom Event Association Water bottles are not included but will be available for purchase.

Amenities 

Portable restrooms and handwashing stations will be available at McDeeds Creek Elementary. 

On-Site Bike Support will be available. 


Food Available
Enjoy post-ride food from Blue Suede BBQ:

Pulled Pork BBQ Plate (sandwich, fries, and drink)
$15 per plate
Learn more about Blue Suede BBQ:
https://www.bluesuedebbq.com/

 
Event Merchandise
Cycling jerseys and additional apparel are available for purchase through the event storefront. The storefront can be accessed by using the link and password below, or you can click the circle shaped photo of the jersey on the homepage. 

Storefront Link:
https://jakroo.com/store-front?storeId=BJwOJPtpel

Access Code: pfp2026 (lowercase)

 
Donations & Sponsorship
Donations of any size are welcome and help directly support the All American Adventure Program.
Please visit the donation page for additional sponsorship opportunities.

 
Volunteers
Volunteers are essential to the success of this event.

If you would like to volunteer, please visit the main race page, click the "Volunteer" tab at the top, and from there, you will see volunteer opportunities.  If you have any questions, please email:

execsec@82ndairborneassociation.org or admin@82ndairborneassociation.org

 
Contact Information
82nd Airborne Association
📍 2915 Raeford Road, Suite 201 (2nd Floor)
Fayetteville, NC 28303

📧 Email: execsec@82ndairborneassociation.org
📞 Phone: 910-223-1182
🌐 Website: https://82ndairborneassociation.org

 
Join us for a meaningful ride that supports healing, strength, and connection for our Paratroopers and Veterans.
All the Way!

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