_ The 2022 The Fast and The Fiorini Ride A-thon:

The FAST and the FIORINI (formerly know as the Big Pencil to Big Walker Charity Ride) is an annual bicycle charity ride to end homelessness and ensure housing affordability. This year we've added two routes for gravel and mountain bike enthusiasts. We also have a new leisure, social ride for families, bodies of faith, school groups, and business teams to fight homelessness in Southwest Virginia.

It’s a #housingfirst charity ride to end homelessness!

With your support HOPE, Inc. activates bicyclists of all interest and experience levels to fight homelessness. Join our #housingfirst cycling movement. Help your favorite rider reach their fundraising goal by pledging to give per-mile or donate a fixed amount. Gifts support HOPE, Inc.’s general charitable purpose and activities. Your gifts help end homelessness in our community using the “Housing First” approach. According to the National Alliance to End Homelessness, “Housing First is a homeless assistance approach that prioritizes providing permanent housing to people experiencing homelessness, thus ending their homelessness and serving as a platform from which they can pursue personal goals and improve their quality of life.” Raise funds from friends, family, neighbors, and coworkers for #housingfirst! Every local $1 raised helps leverage $4 more dollars in federal and state housing assistance funds. To contribute, click on the DONATE button above and make your contribution towards a Fast and Fiorini rider! If you want to become a Ride A-thon ambassador yourself, click on “BECOME A FUNDRAISER” under the “DONATE” button.

• $9 – Leverages 1 night of safe, emergency shelter 
• $27 – Leverages 3 nights of safe, emergency shelter (each race registration funds social impact at this level)
• $50 – Equals 1 month of a utility bill for a newly housed client
• $135 – Funds 1 month of supportive housing services to a rehoused client
• $500 – Equals a security deposit or 1 month’s rent to move a household out of temporary housing
• $540 – Funds 3 months of supportive housing service to a rehoused client
• $1,000 – Leverages 111 nights of safe, emergency shelter

*Giving levels are provided for illustrative purposes only. They are intended to help guide donor decisions, providing examples of giving impact. Giving at a particular level does not imply a donor restriction. All proceeds support HOPE, Inc.’s general charitable activities unless otherwise restricted by the donor.  

Fare thee well, long may you ride, The Fast and the Fiorini!

No one quite touched the lives of cyclists and outdoorsman throughout southwest Virginia like Ian Fiorini. He was at the table as we planned the 1st Big Walker Charity Ride in 2004 in his role as co-owner of Tree huggers Outdoors, a local outing store and Specialized bike dealer on Main Street in Downtown Wytheville. HOPE was honored to add Ian’s name to the ride in 2017 as a way to memorialize his contribution to area cycling. As we enter our 18th year, we hope to continue to bring friends and cyclists together so that we may spread a little of Ian’s love of cycling and the outdoors.