Over 200 bike and beer enthusiasts, families and volunteers took to Norfolk’s Elizabeth River Trail Saturday September 29 to raise money for local charities. The Millers Foundation hosted its first ever charity ride co-sponsored by four local breweries. The event also featured the Local LOVEVA Scavenger Hunt, which highlighted numerous local charities supported by the Foundation.

The family friendly ride cruised along Norfolk’s scenic Elizabeth River Trail from Benchtop to Smartmouth and Bold Mariner, then to an O’Connor’s “tap takeover” at Millers ODU. Riders returned to Smartmouth for an after party featuring a live band and food trucks– all to benefit The Millers Foundation and its charity partners. Julie Marie Vanderberg of Norfolk attended with her family and said “we really enjoyed getting to know the charities through the scavenger hunt.” Representatives from over a dozen local charities set up display tables at Bold Mariner, where comedians from Armed Services Arts Partnership’s Comedy Bootcamp performed. That group helps veterans cope with PTSD and other injuries through its comedy clinics funded in part by The Millers Foundation.

“Pace had to refill its bike station twice,” said Dane Gomez of Norfolk Social Cycling, to keep up with demand from Bikes and Brews riders who used the bike share station in Chelsea. His local cycling club and members of Bike Norfolk kept riders safe by volunteering as ride marshals for the event.

Each participant received a bike accessory bag filled with snacks for their ride. The event was sponsored by Millers Energy and Chandler Property Management. Other local sponsors included Hoffman Beverage, MHI Ship Repair Services, No Frill Bar and Grill and Wall, Einhorn and Chernitzer. RG Electric hosted a water station for riders near its office on the Elizabeth River Trail and numerous small businesses sponsored the LOVAVA Scavenger Hunt and prize drawing. Brewing companies Benchtop, Bold Mariner, O’Connor and Smartmouth donated samples of various brews for the event.