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Norwalk resident to attempt first recorded hydro-bike crossing of Long Island Sound to raise funds for pediatric cancer research
Summary
Phil Kia told the Norwalk Bike Walk Commission he plans a hydro-bike crossing of Long Island Sound on Sept. 27 to raise money for the Great Cycle Challenge; he asked the commission to share the event on its channels.
Phil Kia, a Norwalk resident and event organizer, told the Norwalk Bike Walk Commission on Sept. 8 that he will attempt what he called “the first ever recorded hydro bike crossing of Long Island Sound” on Sept. 27 as part of the Great Cycle Challenge to raise money for children’s cancer research. Kia said he has a fundraising goal of $5,000 and that “so far, I’ve raised 600 on the dot.”
Kia described the crossing as an awareness event as well as a fundraiser. “Most of the vast majority of the miles will happen on a road bike or gravel bike. But as the finisher to the month, I wanted to really highlight alternative active transportation as a means of mobility,” he said. He said his launch and return will be supported by the East Norwalk Boat Club and that local boaters would accompany the crossing for safety.
Commissioners said they would promote the ride on the commission’s social channels. Emily (chair, Bike Walk Commission) told Kia the commission would share his website and social accounts; she read the handles he provided (ridethetide.net; @ridethetidenorwalk).
Kia also raised local environmental concerns observed while practicing in the harbor, describing apparent disconnections in roadside drainage that he said “literally…drop right into the harbor,” and questioned herbicide use for invasive aquatic plants in nearby freshwater systems. He described the crossing as part stunt, part outreach: “It’s not about me crossing the Sound on a hydro bike. It’s a chance for Norwalk to lead by example,” he said.
The commission did not take formal action on the event; commissioners discussed promoting Kia’s fundraiser on their social channels and noted they would coordinate outreach. Kia gave a rain date of Sept. 28 and said he would accept assistance with publicity and safety support from local partners.
Kia’s full fundraiser page and social links, he said, are ridethetide.net and ridethetidenorwalk on Instagram and Facebook.
