For the second year in a row, George Hincapie will be riding Absa Cape Epic, one of the most challenging mountain bike races in the world. Along with friend and retired professional cyclist Christian Vande Velde, he’ll endure grueling terrain and strenuous climbs up some of the most treacherous mountains in South Africa.

This year, he and Christian are also taking the opportunity to benefit a meaningful cause—raising funds to provide bicycles for people in rural developing countries through World Bicycle Relief. In developing countries, distance prevents children from attending school, the sick from receiving care, and entrepreneurs from earning enough to feed their families.

Since 2005, World Bicycle Relief has distributed almost 395,000 Buffalo Bicycles across Africa, South America and Southeast Asia. In areas where walking is the main mode of transportation, a bicycle empowers individuals to conquer the barriers of distance and allows them to thrive.

“Getting to ride my bike every day for fun is a privilege; I realize how lucky I am,” says George. “There are many in this world who don’t have this privilege; in fact, they need bicycles to survive each day. It’s my hope that by raising funding for World Bicycle Relief, I’m able to give the joy—and in this instance, the necessity—of a bicycle to those who can really use them to make better lives for themselves.”

George and Christian aim to raise enough money to distribute 50 bicycles into the field. This equates to $7350, or $147 per bicycle.

To donate to George and Christian’s efforts, visit https://teamwbr.worldbicyclerelief.org/capeepic2018