The CACNA1A Foundation is an official charity partner of the 2025 TD Five Boro Bike Tour, and a limited number of guaranteed entries are available.
This thrilling event allows cyclists of all skill levels to ride 40 miles through all five boroughs of New York City. For one day, the city streets and bridges are yours (no cars, trucks, or buses!).
JOIN TEAM CACNA1A on Sunday, May 4th, to raise much-needed awareness and funds to improve the lives of people living with CACNA1A-related neurodevelopmental disorders*
ABOUT THE RIDE: The 40-mile five-borough bike tour is a recreational (not a race) ride through New York City on closed roads. Attracting 32,000 participants, it is the largest event of its kind in the U.S. The tour is a rain-or-shine event through mostly flat streets, bridges, highways and parks. The ride begins in lower Manhattan, heads north to Central Park, and continues through historic Harlem and the Bronx, returning south along the East River on the FDR Drive. From there, it crosses into Queens and then Brooklyn before making the thrilling climb up--and down--the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge to Staten Island, concluding near the Staten Island Ferry.
As a charity partner rider, your commitment is simple: We will provide you with guaranteed entry to the Bike Tour and a CACNA1A Foundation bike jersey, and you pledge to raise a minimum of $1,000 for the CACNA1A Foundation. We’ll set you up with a personalized fundraising page to share with your networks and will be there every step of the way to answer questions and provide support.
What’s in it for you when you join us?
Guaranteed complimentary entry to the iconic Five Boro Bike Tour
Exclusive access to the Charity Rider Corral, starting in the first wave ahead of all other riders
Pre-ride breakfast in the private Charity Rider area at the start line
Post-ride lunch in the Charity Rider zone at the Finisher Festival
Free bike repairs along the entire route, so you can ride worry-free
Entry to the Finish Festival on Staten Island, where you can celebrate your achievement
CACNA1A Foundation bike jersey to wear proudly
Personalized fundraising tools to help you make an impact
And, of course, the amazing feeling of cycling for a cause—helping fund vital research for new treatments for individuals with CACNA1A-related neurodevelopmental disorders
*What is CACNA1A? CACNA1A is a rare neurodevelopmental disorder caused by changes in the CACNA1A gene, a calcium ion channel gene highly expressed in the central nervous system and cerebellum. These changes disrupt electrical signals in the brain, leading to various neurological issues, including global developmental delays, intellectual disability, autism spectrum disorder, epilepsy, ataxia (balance and coordination difficulties), hemiplegic migraines (stroke-like episodes that result in coma, brain swelling, and skill regression), speech and language disorders, and eye movement disorders. The estimated incidence rate is 1:11,700 (Lopez-Rivera et al., 2020) and individuals come from every continent.
About the CACNA1A Foundation: In 2020, a group of dedicated parents connected through social media, united by their determination to find a cure for their children who all struggled with CACNA1A-related disorders, a rare neurodevelopmental genetic disease. Their shared vision led to the creation of the CACNA1A Foundation, a powerful movement driven by passion and hope. Today, this growing community is making remarkable strides to reshape the futures of those affected by mutations on their CACNA1A gene. Our progress is a testament to what can be achieved with unwavering determination, resilience, and a deep well of love.
Significant milestones over the past four years include:
Launching a natural history study and collecting vital clinical data to better understand our patient population
Building a robust preclinical research portfolio to lay the groundwork for therapeutic developments.
Fostering an open science culture, encouraging collaboration, sharing data and resources, and breaking down barriers within the scientific community to accelerate progress toward effective therapies
Yet, much work still needs to be done…and our efforts require significant funding. Your support will drive groundbreaking research, bringing us closer to new treatments for our kids. Together, we can turn hope into change.
Please join us and make a difference in the lives of our children. Thank you for your commitment and generosity!
Learn More: The CACNA1A Foundation is a parent-led, 501(c)(3) nonprofit established in 2020 to improve the lives of individuals affected by this rare neurodevelopmental genetic disease through advancing research, supporting families, and raising awareness. The Foundation’s efforts are focused on accelerating progress toward therapeutic development that will have the greatest impact on the CACNA1A patient community. Our tax ID# is 84-4985747.