Boston — Women-focused cycling apparel brand Jelenew hosted a winter charity ride in the Boston area last week, combining outdoor recreation with fundraising for global reforestation efforts.
The event, called Hot Coco Cycling, took place on December 22 and was co-organized with the Boston University Cycling Club. Despite cold temperatures following snowfall, 19 riders turned out for the 29-mile group ride, which linked cycling with environmental advocacy and community discussion.
Participants began the morning in Arlington before riding toward Bedford along the Minuteman Bikeway, a historic route tied to the early days of the American Revolution. The group passed landmarks including Bedford Depot Park and the Cyrus E. Dallin Art Museum before stopping at a local café for a break and an informal discussion on environmental protection. Riders then looped back through Weston to Arlington, completing the route by late morning.
According to organizers, the ride raised funds for One Tree Planted, an international reforestation nonprofit. Jelenew said it will continue the initiative online through its Strava community, pledging to fund the planting of one tree for every 16 kilometers logged by participating riders.
The turnout included 12 women and 7 men, a gender split that riders described as unusual for winter group rides. Several participants noted that the event was their first organized cycling activity and highlighted the social and environmental focus as a motivating factor.
A student cyclist from Boston University said the ride felt especially meaningful given the weather. “It was cold, but the experience and the purpose behind it made it worthwhile,” she said.
Jelenew representatives said the Boston ride marked the brand’s first in-person cycling event in the city, following similar initiatives previously held in Paris. The company plans to expand both online and in-person cycling events in the coming months, using them to promote sustainable transportation and environmental action.
Organizers said future rides will continue to blend cycling, community engagement, and charitable giving, with the goal of encouraging broader participation in environmentally conscious sports activities.