Biking for Bubbies & Zaidies - 2025

17th Annual Biking for Bubbies & Zadies - September 14, 2025

Biking for Bubbies & Zadies is Ottawa's premier fundraising event for long-term care, benefiting the Bess and Moe Greemberg Family Hillel Lodge - the sole Jewish long-term care facility in the region.

Our annual event gathers hundreds to support the residents living at the lodge, each rider aiming to raise at least $500. Alongside the main event, the Family Fun Zone offers activities like face painting, crafts, and making the event enjoyable for all ages.

Biking for bubbies logo

Become an integral part of this remarkable event and contribute directly to the well-being and care of the Bubbies and Zaidies at Hillel Lodge. Together, we can create a lasting impact and ensure a brighter future for those living at the Bess and Moe Greenberg Family Hillel Lodge of Ottawa.  

Join us for Biking for Bubbies and let's Pedal for a Purpose!

Please join us on Sunday, September 14, 2025, for the 17th Annual Biking for Bubbies & Zadies.  Register Today! 
 

biking completion

The Classic – 36K

Join the Bike the Classic Challenge!

Are you ready for a fun and fulfilling ride? Join us for the Bike the Classic Challenge—a lively 36 km route perfect for cyclists of all levels! This event is not just about the ride; it’s an opportunity to make a meaningful impact in the lives of others.

chai century challenge

Chai Century Challenge - 118K

Join the Chai Century Challenge!

Calling all seasoned cyclists! Get ready to take on our Chai Century Challenge—a thrilling ride designed just for you! This self-supported adventure is perfect for experienced cyclists looking to enjoy a day on the bike while supporting a meaningful cause.

spin bike challenge

Spin Bike Challenge

Get Ready to Pedal for a Purpose!

Don’t ride on the road? No problem! You can still join the fun with our Spin Bike Challenge! Set your personal target for kilometres (or hours) to pedal from now until September 14, 2025. Whether you’re spinning at the gym, in a class, or at home, your challenge supports the wonderful residents of Hillel Lodge!

Download tracking sheet

biking from away

Ride Your Way – even from AWAY

Yes, you can still raise funds for Biking for Bubbies even if you can't attend the event itself or even own a bike! You can create a fundraising page and ask friends and family to donate.  Or host your own event!  People have participated from New York, Spain, and every year, we have a group that gets together in Toronto!  Support Hillel Lodge your way. 

family fun zone kids

Pedal Palooza Parade

Join the Pedal Palooza Fun Ride & Walk!

Get ready for a day of fun and creativity with our Pedal Palooza! This exciting event is designed for kids, "big kids," and everyone in between, including those who use wheelchairs and walkers. Join us for a fantastic opportunity to get involved and make a difference!  All those who raise $500 or more will be included on the biker board for 2025. 

family fun zone

Family Fun Zone

Get ready for a day filled with joy, laughter, and meaningful connections at our Family Fun Zone during the Biking for Bubbies & Zaidies event!

Kids can dive into a world of excitement with face painting, fun games, and interactive activities alongside the wonderful residents of Hillel Lodge. This unique experience will create lasting memories as they engage in games that foster friendships and understanding across generations. 

Sponsorship

Align your brand with a cause that embodies community and compassion. As a sponsor, your logo will shine on event materials and social media, reaching a wide audience of engaged supporters.

Plus, your employees can get involved! Sponsorship offers a fantastic chance for team-building through volunteerism, boosting morale while making a real impact.

Join us in creating a day of joy and connection. Let’s make a difference in the lives of residents at Hillel Lodge together!

Download the sponsorship kit or call Leslie or Nicky at 613-728-3990 to get started!

sponsorship matrix
young man biking
biking high five
biking party
jess

Spotlight on one of our Champions: An Interview with Jess Mender

Biking for Bubbies has always been more than just a fundraiser to me — it’s something deeply personal, something that has circulated through my household for as long as I can remember. It was a cause close to both my parents’ hearts. With both of their parents having lived at the Lodge, they understood firsthand the importance of supporting such a meaningful place, not just for its care, but for the dignity and warmth it offered to their loved ones. My late father played a huge role in helping launch the Biking for Bubbies initiative. His passion and dedication to the cause was something I grew up watching, admiring, and absorbing. He believed in giving back, in showing gratitude, and in building something that could last beyond any one individual. I think, in a lot of ways, it was his way of saying thank you — and ensuring others had the same care and comfort his own mother received. When he passed away, I felt a shift. His absence left an enormous hole, but it also left a quiet, persistent voice reminding me of what mattered to him — and to us. Getting involved in Biking for Bubbies felt like the most natural, most meaningful way to honour him. It was more than just picking up where he left off; it was about continuing a legacy of compassion, community, and connection.

The Family Fun Zone holds a really special place in my heart — not just because of what it is, but because of where the idea came from. My dad always had a bigger vision for Biking for Bubbies. He didn’t just want it to be a bike ride or a fundraiser — he wanted it to be something that brought people together. Something where families could connect with each other, and with the Lodge. He believed deeply in making it a community event, where everyone, young and old, could feel like they were part of something meaningful.

My dad had a soft spot for kids. He loved making them laugh, watching their faces light up. It was just who he was. So when I thought about how I could help carry his vision forward, creating a Family Fun Zone felt like the perfect way. I wanted to bring out young children and their families — to give them a space to have fun, to smile, and to feel connected to a cause that’s so important.

With the help of my amazing partner, Jen Zaret, and later on Rob and Chelsea Levine, we brought the Family Fun Zone to life. Together, we were able to build something that gave families a way to get involved, to experience the joy and the community spirit of Biking for Bubbies while giving back to the Lodge. As Biking for Bubbies continues to grow, one of my biggest hopes is to see more young families get involved — not just in the Family Fun Zone, but eventually in the biking component as well. We’re so lucky to have an incredible facility like the Lodge available to us as we age — a place that provides comfort, care, and dignity to the people we love most. I think it’s important for the next generation to understand the value of that, and to be part of ensuring it continues to thrive.