Today we’d like to introduce you to Sharon Madison.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My career has been anything but traditional, and when I look back, every step prepared me for what I’m doing today.
I began by attending modeling school and then fashion merchandising school before starting my career in retail management. I worked my way through several well-known companies, including Fashion Bar, Perkin Shearer, and Polo Ralph Lauren, where I developed strong leadership, customer service, and relationship-building skills. From there, I transitioned into wholesale apparel sales, working with retailers throughout the region.
Fitness had always been a passion of mine, so I eventually followed my heart and became a spin instructor, personal trainer, and cycling coach. Helping people discover what they were capable of both physically and mentally became incredibly rewarding.
That passion for cycling led me to another nonprofit, where I built and grew their cycling club. When the organization closed during COVID, I saw an opportunity to create something new rather than let the community disappear.
After experiencing the heartbreaking loss of my son, I realized how precious community, purpose, and giving back truly are. That perspective became the driving force behind everything I wanted to build moving forward.
Together with my significant other, I co-founded We Ride 4 with a simple vision: create a welcoming cycling community where people come for the rides, stay for the friendships, and know that every mile they ride helps support children’s causes.
Today, We Ride 4 has grown into a thriving nonprofit with more than 275 active members, incredible sponsors, and an amazing team of volunteers. Together, we’ve raised and donated more than $525,000 to children’s causes through the power of cycling.
What I’m most proud of isn’t just the dollars we’ve raised, it’s the community we’ve built. We’ve created a place where people form lifelong friendships, challenge themselves, support one another, and make a real difference in the lives of children. It’s incredibly rewarding to see how every chapter of my career and every life experience led me to this work. I truly can’t imagine doing anything else.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road, but every challenge has taught me something valuable.
One of our biggest challenges came during COVID. The nonprofit cycling club I had helped build closed its doors, and instead of walking away, we decided to start over and create We Ride 4. Launching a new nonprofit during such an uncertain time wasn’t easy, but it also reinforced the importance of community and human connection.
Like many nonprofits, we started with no roadmap, no large donor base, and no guarantee that our idea would work. We had to earn the trust of members, sponsors, and the community one relationship at a time. There were plenty of long days, difficult decisions, and moments when we wondered if we could keep growing.
As we’ve grown, I’ve learned that running a nonprofit is about much more than organizing bike rides. It’s fundraising, building partnerships, recruiting and mentoring volunteers, developing leaders, managing finances, marketing, planning events, and constantly looking ahead. There are always new challenges, but that’s also what makes the work so rewarding.
Personally, one of my biggest struggles has been learning to let go. Because We Ride 4 has always been so personal to me, I’ve wanted everything to be perfect. Over time, I’ve realized that building a lasting organization means trusting others, developing new leaders, and creating a strong team. That’s why I’m so passionate about mentoring the next generation of leadership so We Ride 4 can continue to grow for many years to come.
Looking back, I wouldn’t change any of it. Every obstacle made us stronger, shaped our mission, and reinforced why we do what we do. The challenges have made the successes even more meaningful.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
We Ride 4 is often described as a cycling club, but we’re so much more than that. We’re also much different than a traditional nonprofit.
Most nonprofits spend a great deal of time asking people for donations. While we certainly welcome financial contributions, our model is built differently. We create an active, welcoming cycling community where people naturally become engaged, build meaningful friendships, and share a common purpose. Those relationships inspire members, sponsors, and volunteers to support our mission of helping children’s causes.
People often ask what we specialize in, and my answer is simple: building community with purpose. We create experiences that bring people together, whether it’s a Tuesday morning ride, a multi-day cycling adventure, a social event, or our annual fundraiser. Those connections create a ripple effect that extends far beyond cycling.
I’m especially proud that we’ve built an organization where people genuinely want to participate. Members don’t just ride with us; they volunteer, introduce us to sponsors, donate auction items, invite friends to join, and become ambassadors for our mission. That level of engagement can’t be bought; it comes from creating a culture where people feel they belong.
What sets We Ride 4 apart is that every part of our organization works together. Our cycling club strengthens our community. Our community attracts sponsors and partners. Those partnerships help fund children’s causes. And the impact we make inspires even more people to get involved.
Since co-founding We Ride 4, we’ve grown to more than 275 active members and have raised and donated over $525,000 to children’s causes. While I’m incredibly proud of those numbers, I’m even more proud that we’ve proven you don’t have to choose between building a fun, welcoming community and making a meaningful impact. We Ride 4 has shown that you can do both—and that’s what makes our organization truly unique.
Do you have any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
Growing up in a family of 10, there was never a dull moment. Some of my favorite childhood memories are waking up on holidays to the smell of my mom’s homemade sour cream cinnamon rolls. The house would be full of excitement, laughter, and organized chaos as everyone gathered together.
Looking back, I realize it wasn’t really about the cinnamon rolls—it was about being surrounded by family, creating traditions, and feeling connected. Those moments taught me the importance of community, generosity, and making time for the people you love.
I think those experiences shaped who I am today. Whether I’m leading a bike ride, organizing an event, or bringing people together through We Ride 4, my greatest joy comes from creating a place where people feel welcome, build lasting friendships, and become part of something bigger than themselves.
Pricing:
- Core Membership: $250 per year. Includes access to our year-round cycling community, group rides, social events, member benefits, and discounts from our sponsors.
- Social Membership: $100 per year. Perfect for those who want to be part of the We Ride 4 community and enjoy social events and member benefits, even if they don’t ride as often.
- Sponsorships-Podium Sponsor: $5,000 Peloton Sponsor: $3,000 Paceline Sponsor: $2,000 Domestique Sponsor: $1,500
Contact Info:
- Website: https://WeRIde4.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/weridefor/
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/groups/weride4/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/we-ride-4/
