Members of the United States Bartenders’ Guild (USBG) Rhode Island and Connecticut chapters, as well as local riders, raised money for local bars, restaurants and charitable efforts through the Biking for Bars initiative in Rhode Island on June 15. Sponsored by Campari America and USBG RI, the 20-mile bike ride took place on three routes of the riders’ choice in Providence, Bristol and Newport. The initiative’s 44 riders each chose a local charitable cause for their sponsored ride, raising more than $8,000 for charities including No Kid Hungry, Foodshare and the USBG National Charity Foundation, as well as numerous national and local causes and charities. Groups of bicyclists were limited to six due to COVID-19 restrictions. Heineken USA and Fiji Water supported the charitable ride as well.
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- Bar professional Ben Terry and Frank Martucci, USBG National Charity Foundation Board President and Director of Beverage & Nightlife, Twin River Worldwide.
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- Christina Mercado, Beverage Manager and Bartender.
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- Frank Martucci, USBG National Charity Foundation Board President and Director of Beverage & Nightlife, Twin River Worldwide addresses riders in Bristol. On the far right, Thomas Dellanno from New Jersey.
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- USBG Connecticut rider Richard Perez and Campari America’s Gary Dritschler, lead sponsor of the charitable event.
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- Joaquin Meza, Jen Davis, Horus Alvarez and Christina Mercado, among others, gear up.
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- Each year, sponsor Campari provides shirts, water bottles and other branded merchandise.
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- Heineken donated to the event showcasing branded T-shirts and beer.
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- Alexis Orton and Christina Mercado.
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- Riders Ed Brady and Stephen Brady of Thirsty Beaver Hometown Pub & Grub and Bartender Ryan Draine.
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- Bikers readying for their East Bay ride with a start from Independence Park in Bristol.
Photos by Laura Widness.
