Closer to Free Ride

The 2023 event begins Saturday morning at the Yale Bowl.

A roundup of stories and noteworthy causes for riders in Saturday’s annual event in New Haven.

Connor David lives and works in endurance. He’s the head instructor at Grind Baseball and founder of Vital Strength and Fitness. His background is helping him build strength for 100 miles in the Closer to Free Ride on Saturday. “I kind of was looking at it this past year and then when my mom was going through treatment, I thought…

A man from Orange shares his journey to join this year’s Closer to Free Ride.

No matter how many Closer to Free Rides they’ve done, the one moment that touches nearly every rider is the “Smilow Salute” at Smilow Cancer Hospital.

No matter how many Closer to Free Rides they’ve done, the one moment that touches nearly every rider is the “Smilow Salute” at Smilow Cancer Hospital. “It’s about bringing our community and our clients and our teammates together,” said Louis Dhanraj, consumer market leader for Bank of America. “Each year, this ride represents that moment to all share one common...

The Closer to Free Ride Day is on Sept. 9 and on that day, not only will more than 1,000 riders take to the streets, but there will be a lot of volunteers out there helping them along the way. “One of our core values is community service and giving back to those in need,” said Jennifer Raccio, the director…

The Closer to Free Ride is coming up and on that day, not only will more than a thousand riders take to the streets, but there will be volunteers out there helping them along the way.

For a young cancer survivor, the gym where she works has been a big part of her recovery.

We’re all familiar with the benefits of working out and staying active. For one young cancer survivor, the gym where she works has been a big part of her recovery. “I am a baby cyclist right now, so I have become a cyclist,” Madison Quirk said. Sitting on a stationary bike, pedaling away at F45 Training gym in Hamden,...

Kids on a local youth hockey club are trading in their skates for the Closer to Free Ride on Sept. 9.

Kids on a local youth hockey club are trading in their skates for the Closer to Free Ride on Sept. 9. North Haven 14-year-old Evan Conlan has skated since he was three years old. “It’s just the thrill of being out here, seeing a new team, seeing everyone and the fans, everyone is so supportive,” Conlan said. This is the…

“I worked at a liquor store in college, and he may have come in a time or two, and the rest is history,” said Amy Blanchard of Naugatuck, with a laugh. She and her husband Brian had a life that was picture perfect. “Fishing, golfing, breweries, you know, we loved to travel,” Blanchard said. “Baseball games – we were visiting,…

2-year-old Connor Ellis-Egan, a leukemia patient at Smilow Cancer Hospital, got a surprise visit from his favorite weatherman, Bob Maxon.

A Connecticut toddler who’s battling leukemia received a big surprise from his favorite meteorologist. “I guess it was on one day and Connor just picked up that Bob was on and it was a word that he can say, and it’s really stuck since,” said Katie Ellis, mom of Connor Ellis-Egan. Connor faithfully watches NBC Connecticut’s Bob Maxon each...

The Closer to Free Ride raises thousands of dollars annually for Smilow Cancer Hospital and Yale Cancer Center. Part of that money goes to help patient care at the hands of staff like nurse Kathy Farrelly and Physician Assistant Kristen Hoxie. “So, it’s almost like a family. The staff, we all work together, and our goal is to have...

Each year, thousands of people come out together for the Closer to Free Ride, and each one is on a personal, and sometimes personalized, journey. “It was made by a kid so it kind of makes it even more cool,” said Jodi DiMauro Ericson, showing off a handmade cape she wears for the ride. It’s signed by friends, family...

Two workers at Smilow Cancer Hospital share the stories of why they ride.

There are lots of different reasons why people decide to join the Closer to Free Ride. We’re hearing from a Groton woman who shares the special connection to the ride, and why this year will mean so much.