2025 Gold Coast East Cycling Event To Benefit Various Long Island Charities

LONG ISLAND, NY — The Huntington Bicycle Club is inviting riders to "pedal for a purpose" at the 2025 Gold Coast East event scheduled for July 13.

The ride will benefit various causes. A portion of Gold Coast Fund proceeds will benefit Long Island Cares, which is dedicated to serving the island's food-insecure population; the New York Bicycling Coalition; and KIDS NEED MORE Camp Adventure, an organization of parents who created a camping experience for their children diagnosed with cancer, along with their siblings. Camp Adventure now serves the East Coast and Tri-State area.

Riders can choose their route. The ride is $65 for Huntington Bicycle Club members and $95 for non-members. There is a discount price for the 12-mile ride: $20 for members and $40 for non-members.

People can register to ride on the Huntington Bicycle Club website. The deadline to register is 5 p.m. July 12.

The Gold Coast event is a fully supported event with ride leaders for the 12 mile routes, said Steven Labiner, board member of the Huntington Bicycle Club and Gold Coast chairperson. Streets are marked along the routes with turning arrows. The club will provide a printed cue sheet with the turning directions and GPS routes. Bike repair mechanics will be positioned at dedicated rest stops, along with snacks and Porta Potty stations, Labiner said.

Pizza and ice cream will be served back at Harborfields High school at the ride completion.

The Gold Coast projected routes:

Trial Tour Twelve (12 miles)

This pleasant flat route meanders through Greenlawn, Commack and Elwood for 12 miles. A ride leader will be available to guide those who are ready to start at 9 a.m. Novice cyclists will learn the rules of the road for group riding.

Kings Park Ramble (25 miles)

A family-friendly excursion (without steep hills) exploring the neighborhoods of Greenlawn, Kings Park, Commack, and Elwood. Enjoy the Kings Park Bluff, this scenic view of the Long Island Sound is the highlight of this ride.

Vintage Villages (50 miles)

Enjoy the best of Suffolk county’s North Shore as you cycle though a string of charming and historic villages including Smithtown, Head of the Harbor and Stony Brook and Setauket.

Grand Tour-Metric Century (70 miles)

Take in the beauty of the most scenic spots on the North Shore including Short Beach, Stony Brook Harbor, and the iconic Old Field Light House.

The Big 80s Challenge (85 Miles)

Take on a true cyclist adventure with a route through the quiet and beautiful village of Belle Terre, looping back through the Poquott and Port Jefferson. Harbors, hills, and vintage village offer stunning waterfront views and countless photo opportunities await.

Riders are asked to bring a non-perishable food donation to support Long Island Cares.

"Giving back to the community" is a key component of the event, Labiner told Patch.

Gabrielle Cubi, food drive coordinator at Long Island Cares, said the organization is "extremely grateful" to be a beneficiary of the Huntington Bike Club's Gold Coast Tour 2025.

"They are a wonderful group of Long Islanders who know that it takes community impact to help our neighbors in need," Cubi said.

The Bike Club’s donations will go directly to the Long Island Cares Huntington Station Food Pantry, where they’ll be shared with families in the local community, according to Cubi.

"Long Island Cares is dedicated to making sure no one on Long Island goes hungry — and your support helps make that possible," Cubi said.

Long Island Cares is hoping that bikers and their families can provide approximately 150 pounds of donated food — or 200 meals, Cubi said.

"This amazing community group is going to impact so many people while doing something they enjoy — if there are any more groups, clubs, or gatherings that would like to support Long Island Cares, please reach out to fooddrive@licares.org," Cubi said.

Patch has partnered with Feeding America since 2020 to help raise awareness in our local communities of hunger, a persistent national problem exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Feeding America, which supports 200 food banks and 60,000 local meals programs across the country, estimates that nearly 34 million people, including 9 million children — about 1 in 6 Americans — are living with food insecurity. This is a Patch social good project; Feeding America receives 100 percent of donations. Find out how you can donate in your community or find a food pantry near you.