Bikes, Trikes and Kids.

Blake wanted a goal outside of the kitchen, and his popular Vivify restaurant. He learned about Chef’s Cycle through social media. It’s message speaks to him as it supports the organization No Kid Hungry. Staggering statistics show 1 in 6 children are hungry. “I have three boys, and I see how they eat. To succeed in school and day- to- day high activities, I’m thankful they have enough food to eat. As a chef this organization spoke to me, because cooking for others is what I do- No Kid Hungry helps provide things like free breakfast in school, meals in the Summer, support in teaching how to make a healthy budget meal. Feeding kids is something I can understand- and I wanted the challenge with this event. Riding 100 miles a day for 3 days will test my limits, more then I have in a very long time physically and mentally.”

Chef’s Cycle has only existed for about three years. It’s a fundraising endurance event featuring award winning chef’s ‘fighting hunger outside the kitchen.’ ‘Chefs Cycle has engaged culinary talents who want to push their limits by completing a three day, 300 mile ride while raising funds and awareness in support of No Kid Hungry. There are two national rides- one in California, and one in Charlottesville, VA in September. Blake is training for September. The goal is to raise $7500. Blake is not one to ask for money from anyone “I like to see a direct result when asking for money, for every $1 raised it helps translate to 10 healthy meals directly going to children who need it. I have not trained for anything like this before, and I feel good knowing the hard training will be for a good cause. The hardest challenge has been finding the time for the long rides outside of working, I think as people see me out there and learn what I’m doing it will help draw attention to this organization. ” The money raised from this event does trickle down to our region. According to the Free Lance-Star article, published on June 12th, Cathy Jett- “No Kid Hungry Virginia funds the grants for providing $5000 to Fredericksburg directly for Summer meals, they help fund 21 organizations in Virginia and organizes the texting and weekly update services to send information for the Summer meals.”

To donate directly to Blake’s site-join.nokidhungry.org/goto/CC18_blakebethem

You can follow his training pictures and progress on Instagram- vivifyburger or bethemandsons