Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America Postponed

Route Riding

There was a fair bit of excitement when the route for the 2020 Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America was announced. For the first time in the ride's twenty-five-year history, it was going to stop and start in the same city, after a leisurely 1500 mile tour through some of the best riding Arizona and Utah have to offer.

Surprise Nobody

Of course, this was before the impact of the coronavirus pandemic and the complete uncertainty that it sowed. Echoing everyone's tired disappointment, Autoweek perhaps put it best in March 2020 when they sarcastically wrote, “To the surprise of almost nobody, the 26th annual Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America has been postponed for exactly one year.”

>>Join the conversation about the Kyle Petty Charity Ride right here in the Harley-Davidson Forum.

Uncertain Time

History has a way of repeating itself. In January 2021, the ride's organizers made the difficult decision to postpone the event for the second time. Former NASCAR driver, current NBC Sports racing analyst, and ride founder, Kyle Petty stated, “There is still so much uncertainty and risk with the pandemic...we have decided to once again postpone the ride, now to 2022.”

>>Join the conversation about the Kyle Petty Charity Ride right here in the Harley-Davidson Forum.

Utmost Importance

Petty continued, “We talked through every...scenario and tried to come up with a way to safely execute the ride this spring, but ultimately we don’t feel we could safely make that happen. The health and safety of our riders and the communities we visit are of the utmost importance to us and we simply cannot take that risk.”

>>Join the conversation about the Kyle Petty Charity Ride right here in the Harley-Davidson Forum.

Camp Fun

The event postponement affects more than just riders. As one of the most popular charity runs in the country, the ride supports kids in need and raises funds for Victory Junction. Located in the hills of Randleman, North Carolina, the year-round facility offers children, living with chronic medical conditions and serious illnesses, the opportunity to attend camp and have fun.

>>Join the conversation about the Kyle Petty Charity Ride right here in the Harley-Davidson Forum.

Opened Gates

Victory Junction's mission is to “let children to do what they do best— be kids, play, imagine, make friends and enjoy the adventures and experiences of camp life.” The eighty-four-acre campus opened its gates in 2004 and stands as a memorial to Adam Petty, Kyle and Pattie's son, who died in a racing accident at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in May 2000.

>>Join the conversation about the Kyle Petty Charity Ride right here in the Harley-Davidson Forum.

Cumulative Cause

Since its inception, the Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America has raised $19 million for kids in need. The first ride was in 1995 when thirty or so riders made their way from Santa Clara, California to Charlotte, North Carolina, in eight days. Since then, upwards of 8,600 riders, including many frequent returnees, have covered a cumulative 12.4 million miles for the worthy cause.

>>Join the conversation about the Kyle Petty Charity Ride right here in the Harley-Davidson Forum.

Best Year

Among many highlights, the April 2022 route will include a lap at the Phoenix Raceway. Sponsored by Cox Automotive, the tour will include riding historic Route 66 and visiting Grand Canyon National Park. Kyle Petty stated that he is now focused on “making the ride the best it can possibly be.” Here is the official route for those planning ahead for next year.

>>Join the conversation about the Kyle Petty Charity Ride right here in the Harley-Davidson Forum.

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