Motorcyclists asked to take Earth Day pledge to ‘Ride for the River’ and RHA’s clean water mission

For motorcycle enthusiasts, there’s nothing like finding a “perfect ride” along scenic backroads on a beautiful day. And it’s even better when the ride supports a great cause, like protecting clean water!

This Earth Week, motorcyclists are invited to join the 23rd annual “Ride for the River,” benefiting the local conservation nonprofit Raritan Headwaters Association (RHA). Using a new pick-your-own-date format, the event runs from Wednesday, April 22 – Earth Day – through Tuesday, July 21, with riders able to choose among three scenic tours mapped out by RHA.

The routes – all 50 to 60 miles long - traverse the upper Raritan River watershed in Hunterdon, Somerset and Morris counties. The country roads featured on the rides include many that parallel or cross iconic rivers and streams.

The goal of Ride for the River is to raise $8,000 to support RHA’s work protecting the health of the region’s open spaces, rivers, streams, and critical drinking water resources. Participants are asked to donate to RHA, enlist fellow motorcyclists to join a group ride, obtain pledges from friends and family for each mile traveled, or find local businesses to become sponsors.

“Local motorcyclists have enthusiastically supported Ride for the River for the past 22 years, raising more than $230,000 to help protect land and water quality in this special part of New Jersey,” said Mara Tippett, RHA’s executive director.

“With the new format, they can choose when they ride instead of having just one day for the event,” Tippett added. “The routes are fun, leisurely rides that showcase the beauty of the watershed and the natural resources that RHA protects. Participants can ride one route, or all three.”

The routes are:

Route 1: John Belle Memorial Route — This route honors the late John Belle, who founded Ride for the River in 2003 with his wife, Amy Greene. The ride winds through the watershed region’s Black River Valley.

Route 2: Lechner Route — This route honors Hermia Lechner, founder of one of Raritan Headwaters’ parent organizations, the South Branch Watershed Association. The route covers Hunterdon County and the South Branch watershed.

Route 3: Woodman Route — This route honors Helen Woodman, founder of the Upper Raritan Watershed Association, the other parent organization of Raritan Headwaters. The route covers URWA's historical Somerset and Morris County territory.

To register for Ride for the River or learn more about the event, go to https://www.raritanheadwaters.org/ridefortheriver/.

Since 1959, Raritan Headwaters Association has focused on clean water. RHA engages citizens and decision-makers in protecting the Raritan River headwaters region and beyond through science, education, land preservation, and advocacy.  

RHA’s 470-square-mile region provides clean drinking water to 300,000 residents across 38 municipalities in Somerset, Hunterdon, and Morris counties, and directly affects over 1.5 million homes and businesses in New Jersey's densely populated urban areas. To learn more about Raritan Headwaters and its programs, visit www.raritanheadwaters.org or call 908-234-1852.