John Matulevich, owner of Ruthless Performance will be bicycling cross-country for Hillside SPCA and Back in Black Dog Rescue with the goal of raising $10,000 and awareness for Hillside SPCA and Back in Black Dog Rescue.
The unsupported, 3,900-mile cycle will begin at the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, CA on Saturday, August 24th and end at the Garfield Square in Pottsville, PA on Saturday, October 5th.
Over the course of this ride, John will be averaging almost 100 miles per day over a variety of terrain and topography. The route includes various difficulties like traversing “The Loneliest Road in America” (U.S. Highway 50), crossing Moab desert, climbing to elevations of more than 11,500 feet in the Rocky Mountains, and strong headwinds in the great plains.
The route will follow a combination of several well-known bike routes; initially the ride will follow the Western Express Bicycle Trail to Pueblo, CO where the trail meets with the TransAmerica Bicycle Trail. The route will diverge from the TransAmerica trail in Virginia on the Blue Ridge Parkway. From there, the route will take the 120 mile Skyline Drive in Shenandoah National Park to Front Royal Virginia. From Front Royal, the last 200 miles of the route will be comprised of a series of state routes and farm roads until reaching the final destination point in Pottsville, PA.
Over the final 3 days, local cyclists will begin to accompany John for the final segments of the ride. On the last day of the ride, the cyclist will be accompanied by a motorcycle and firetruck escort from Pine Grove, PA into Pottsville. Immediately after the riders cross the finish line in Garfield Square, a reception with food, drinks, and a chinese auction will be held.
For more details on the events occuring on the day of the ride-in, be sure to follow along on the event’s Facebook page.
Both beneficiaries, Hillside SPCA and Back in Black Dog Rescue are 501(c)(3) non-profits. To learn more about their work, visit and follow their Facebook pages: Hillside SPCA and Back in Black Dog Rescue.
The event is being outfitted by Dn’A Bikes in Tamaqua. For corporate sponsorship, fundraising events, or more info, send inquiries to info@RuthlessPerformance.com.
You can also follow along with updates and more on the event’s Facebook Page.
Donate to the event directly on the Ruthless Performance Ride America GoFundMe page.
