We are thrilled to share the recent collaboration with EF Academy Pasadena, a private day and boarding school, and the prestigious EF Pro Cycling Team for a unique day of service and community engagement that was held on November 9, 2024. The event featured a 25-mile community ride led by professional cyclists, followed by a bike-building workshop to benefit local Pasadena youth.
Beautiful Day for a Bicycle Ride and Giving Back
Participants joined cyclists EF Education–EasyPost rider Neilson Powless and EF–Oatly–Cannondale rider Coryn Labecki for a scenic 25-mile ride through Pasadena, culminating in a bike-building event hosted at EF Academy’s new Pasadena campus. After the ride, EF Academy students and community volunteers will work together to assemble 25 youth bicycles, provided by Bikes for Goodness Sake. These bikes will be donated to the Pasadena Recreation Center to support local children and encourage active, healthy lifestyles.
Neilson Powless, one of America’s top professional cyclists and the first Native American to compete in the Tour de France, will join Coryn Labecki, one of the most decorated American female cyclist and former U.S. National Road Race Champion, in leading the community ride.
Bringing Joy to Children One Bike at a Time
“We are proud to partner with EF Academy and EF Pro Cycling to help bring the joy of cycling and the spirit of service to the Pasadena community,” commented Mark Smith, Founder, Bikes for Goodness Sake. “These bikes will make a meaningful difference in the lives of local children, and we’re excited to be part of an initiative that fosters both community engagement and a passion for cycling.”
This program aligns with EF Academy Pasadena’s mission to cultivate global citizens who are deeply connected to their local communities. The bike-building workshop is part of the school’s Innovation and Impact program, which challenges students to work collaboratively to create positive change and is a continuation of the inaugural event held in 2023.
“We are delighted to work with Bikes for Goodness Sake again in support of our EF Academy event to build bikes for local youth,” said Dr. Sally Mingarelli, Head of School at EF Academy Pasadena. “This event not only promotes fitness and fun, but it also emphasizes the importance of giving back. It’s a great example of how our students can make a tangible impact in their community.”
About EF Academy Pasadena
EF Academy is a private day and boarding school committed to preparing high school students to lead successful and happy lives. With students from 30+ countries, our welcoming global community sets students up to thrive in university and beyond. www.efacademy.org/en-us
About EF Pro Cycling
EF Academy’s parent organization, EF Education First, acquired the men’s EF Education – EasyPost team in 2017 and founded the EF-Oatly-Cannondale women’s team in 2024. These teams unite EF’s global workforce of 52,000 and raise awareness for the organization’s language learning, cultural exchange, and travel programs. Best known for competing in both the men’s and women’s Tour de France and featuring in Netflix’s Tour de France: Unchained, EF Pro Cycling promotes inclusivity and diversity in cycling through a variety of initiatives, including its ongoing collaboration with USA Cycling and bike maker Cannondale to sponsor new teams at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs). efprocycling.com
