We are incredibly fortunate that we can enjoy the great sport of cycling, set ourselves wonderful challenges, and push ourselves higher, further and faster than we may previously have thought possible - but not everyone is so fortunate - not everyone gets to choice distance as a challenge, for some, its a barrier.

For too many people poverty is cyclical. The best indicator of if a child will end up in poverty is if her parents live in poverty. But there is one secret weapon underused, or deliberately neglected, in most communities around the world that can break this cycle: the education of girls and women. Girls who complete their secondary education are six times less likely to be married as children. Even just completing primary education has enormous benefits.

In rural developing countries, the biggest barrier to education is often the physical act of getting to school. Tasked with many more domestic chores than boys, girls fall behind because of the cultural obstacles they face. In many areas where World Bicycle Relief works, it is common for girls to arrive at school late and tired if they arrive at all. Receiving a bicycle is a game-changer for a child. Instead of spending hours reaching or returning from school, they can tackle homework while its still light outside. As compared to cash transfers, the bicycle is an asset transfer that benefits not only the child, but also the whole family.

The most powerful bicycle is the one in the hands of the schoolgirl desperate to reach school safely and gain an education.

Here at Santini we are donating 1 for every participant at this year's Gran Fondo Stelvio Santini and we extend an invite to all of our riders to join us and help provide Buffalo Bikes to enable someone else to overcome a barrier of distance.

Whether you match our pledge, or start your own fundraiser you can join us and find meaning in the mountains and the miles.

Thank you for Believing in the Power of Bicycles!