For many BellRinger Riders, the DreamRides team is one of the very first things that comes to mind when they think about training season. Long before Riders roll onto Georgetown’s campus in October, Jeff, Eric, and Charlie are out leading all of BellRinger’s early morning training rides: answering questions, helping people build confidence on their bike, and creating the kind of welcoming atmosphere that keeps people coming back week after week. Since before BellRinger officially launched, they have played an enormous role in shaping the Rider experience and helping build the community that makes BellRinger feel so special. Our organization has been changed for the better because of this awesome group, and we think it’s officially time you get to learn a bit more about them!
“DreamRides brings together nonprofit leadership, event management, and cycling expertise with decades of experience. In 2021, a year before the first BellRinger, the DreamRides team started working to help get BellRinger launched including content and review of safety materials, route review, and most famously, for leading most of the BellRinger Training Rides. Leading training rides is one of the most rewarding aspects of our work at Dream Rides. Having the opportunity to meet so many wonderful people, help them to discover, rediscover or enhance their and enjoyment of bicycling, all while raising money to defeat cancer — it’s tough to beat. “ — DreamRides Team
Jeff Miller
After an around-the-world bicycling study-tour on a Thomas J. Watson Fellowship, Jeff started a 20-year career as a bicycle advocacy leader, including heading up the Bicycle Coalition of Maine. With a move to DC in 2008, he lead the Alliance for Biking & Walking, a coalition of state and local advocacy organizations similar to the Washington Area Bicycling Association (WABA). After becoming a foster parent to toddler twins, Jeff stepped aside to be a dad. As his kids (now adopted) were heading into Pre-K, Jeff created DC Cycling Concierge in 2016, offering private tours tailored to his guest’s goals. He has expanded his team and refined on delivering exceptional customer service, unique experiences, and serving people of all ages and abilities, families, organizations, celebrities, and corporate partners. Just last month he was the guide for Ryan Trahan and Haley Pham and was featured far more than he expected in Day 2 of Ryan’s YouTube series “Top 10 Tourist Destinations of America,” which has already been viewed millions of times since its release on May 13th. Jeff is a melanoma cancer survivor who has ridden in BellRinger every year, tackling the 100 mile route (making him often one of the last riders to finish each year).
**P.S. from the BellRinger Team: Jeff can make you laugh like no other and is one of the brightest lights this world has to offer! We promise if you ride with Jeff, you will leave 10x smarter than you started 🙂
Eric Channing Brewer
Eric Channing Brewer is the founder of two of Washington’s most stylish casual cycling events that occur annually. The fall DC Tweed Ride and springtime Seersucker Social have been attended by thousands of folks through the years and have inspired similar rides across the country since 2009. Eric also founded a gravel and cyclocross racing club called The Bluemont Connection in 2016. Eric has an easy-going sociable nature and has a knack for building inclusive cycling related communities. Their clients praise his ability to provide fundraisers with memorable cycling experiences they want to repeat. His passion for all things cycling began with his interest in mountain biking during the early 90’s. When he’s not leading tours through rural Virginia, The Hudson Valley Region, or Maryland’s Eastern Shore or pedaling his way through places like Tanzania, Sierra Leone or the south of France, he’s at home resting his legs and tending to his collection of vintage road bikes.
**P.S. from the BellRinger Team: Aside from Eric’s jaw-dropping cycling style, he has a heart of gold and is around to help anyone who needs it! You’ll see him a bunch on training rides and closer to BellRinger Weekend in Rider orientations.
Charlie Denny
Charlie Denney worked as a transportation planner specializing in bicycle and pedestrian planning and design for over 30 years. In both the public and private sectors, Charlie’s projects were focused on the mid-Atlantic region, particularly the DC metro area. From helping to launch several bikeshare programs to countless trail and bike lane projects throughout the country, Charlie is very familiar with bicycle networks both within and connecting cities. Changing gears from creating places for people to ride, Charlie wanted to focus more on getting people on bikes. Charlie was one of the first guides to join the DC Cycling Concierge and has been leading tours and showing off DC and the broader region for many years. Charlie has been a regular BellRinger rider, and now that his youngest set of twins are in college, he is looking forward to joining Jeff as one of the last riders on the 100-mile route.
**P.S. from the BellRinger Team: We love to call Charlie the fearless leader of our Training Rides — he’s always at the front of the pack sporting a BellRinger jersey! With a strong love of bikes and an even bigger love for the people he shares it all with, we couldn’t be more grateful to have him!
