24 Hours of Tompkins County

Support The History Center in Tompkins County on Labor Day, September 7th, as Executive Director Benjamin Sandberg explores county roads in an 24 hour endurance bike challenge!

What: Fundraiser for The History Center in Tompkins County

When: All day, Monday, September 7th.

Where: Tompkins County - Virtually!

How: Supporters of The History Center make a small pledge per mile that Ben rides on September 7th. Pledge levels include gifts at $.10, $.25, $.50, and $1.00 per mile covered in 24 hours. By joining the team, you can virtually ride through Tompkins County and not break a sweat. Each pledge level has an additional way of experiencing the ride through Tompkins County. Make a gift today by selecting the green “Pledge Now” button on the right!

Why: There are innumerable challenges to fundraising in the time of COVID. Your commitment supports The History Center’s continued resiliency. Although our 2020 exhibits and programs have been postponed or reconceived, our commitment remains the same. The funds raised on September 7th will support **Breaking Barriers: **100 Years (+1!) of Suffrage in Tompkins County, rescheduled for 2021. This dynamic piece of local history is worth waiting for!

Exposition: Ben Sandberg came by his love of local history through his passion for biking. He has done a number of extensive bike rides across the country, adding up to many long days in the saddle. His routes frequent historical societies and local history museums along the way, offering a unique window into each community. This approach nurtured a deep appreciation for the people, the landscape, and the built environment - especially here in Tompkins County. He is excited to more deeply understand our whole county through an endurance test of his own making. If you are in a position to give, our team wants you to join us by pressing the green Pledge Now button!

Rules of the Road: Ben launches from the 8 Square School House at 12:01 am on September 7th and rides his bike until midnight, or the wheels fall off, whichever comes first. By pledging, you can track the ride live, see photos, and watch video vignettes of both known and unknown parts of Tompkins County.

Out of an abundance of caution around COVID-19, this year’s challenge is a solo ride for Ben, although we hope other endurance enthusiasts will join us in the future. Despite the solitary ride, we hope to connect to as many supporters as possible. So pledge today - its as easy as clicking the green pledge button on the right! Check out the different pledge levels below, or make a commitment of your own.

Pledge Rewards:

• Training Wheels: COVID-19 has impacted everyone differently. If you aren’t able to pledge financial support right now, we hope you still want to follow the ride! Email community@thehistorycenter.net to receive a link to follow along.

• Bronze Tricycles: $0.10 per mile. In addition to tracking the day’s ride live, you’ll get photo updates throughout the day, featuring historic locations in Tompkins County.

• Silver Unicycle: $0.25 per mile. On top of the previous content, you’ll get video vignettes from Ben Sandberg. Hear him ruminate on life and the meaning of biking throughout Tompkins County on the day of the ride.

• Gold Bicycle: $0.50 per mile. Not only do you get rewards from the previous level, but you also will receive a custom die cut stickers after the event in appreciation for your support.

• The Aurumania Gold Bike Diamond Edition: $1.00 per mile. While you won’t take home Aurumania’s gold plated bike, you will receive your very own Vote for Women purple sash, as worn throughout the ride by Benjamin Sandberg.

Your total commitment is calculated at the end of the day, and is a product of Ben’s physical fitness, biking enthusiasm, and general stubbornness. Now, before making a pledge, you might be curious about Ben’s riding capacity. His current 24-hour biking record is 140 miles. His goal is 175 miles, but if the ride goes smoothly, he won’t stop there. There’s always more local places to explore, no matter how far you’ve already traveled. Every pledge - no matter the level - makes the next mile more meaningful. Make a commitment today!