I am curious if there are any organized rides that support charities, like people do 5 or 10k runs.
Or, just a basic bike "race" that anyone can join regardless of conditioning or bike type.
Just curious! Inspired by http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=yHH1cAIuWxU
Yes, there are. 
Big ones:
http://tour.diabetes.org/site/PageServer?pagename=TC_homepage
http://main.nationalmssociety.org/site/TR/Bike/TXHBikeEvents?sid=3590&type=fr_informational&pg=informational&fr_id=17896
There are a lot of charity rides for trails around here. E.g. September 22nd Tour De Montour -- http://montourtrail.org/events/index.asp
Actually there is a 7 mile family ride starting at lynch field park in greensburg on sept 8 starting at 11am
after ride will be picnic with live music.
picnic is free
collecting can goods for westmoreland food bank. call 724-989-3552 for more information
the ride is put on by and food provided by my church (revolution) we wanted to do something for the community in greensburg
I also just saw one for Breast Cancer Awareness on the Trek website.
The Westmoreland part of the GAP trail has a poker run every Labor Day. I will be there again this year. 12 mile or 20 mile ride. Not sure of race day cost, probably around $20. Tons of prizes at the end of the ride. All proceeds benefit that section of the GAP, which is maintained via volunteers.
It would be cool if there was one through the city with roads blocked off like a marathon or the great race. It would be fun.
Come to Pittsburgh marathon an hour or two earlier and ride on your own. Road are closed around 5:00-5:20 am. I volunteered last two years first 5:00-12:00 shift and saw a lot of people running/riding before marathon.
There was. Its called Pedal Pittsburgh. Fund raiser for this fine organization.
@Italianblend: we used to have something called the Great Ride in the city. As for current charity rides, many of the Century rides, such as the Mon Valley Century, and NEOC in Ohio (that many Pittsburghers attend) are usually fundraisers for their sponsoring organizations.
Edit: there's also one coming up on the GAP from Homestead to Boston.
Oh I have biked waterfront to Boston before. Do you have more info?
It's called the Tour de Mon, held on October 6th. More info here:
http://www.steelvalleytrail.org/eNewsletters/eNewsletter120827.pdf
Thanks! I might do that
