Celebrating 18 years of community in motion!

MediSystem Biking for Bubbies & Zaidies is Ottawa's premier fundraising event for long-term care, benefiting the Bess and Moe Greenberg 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, raising money to support exceptional care for residents: our family, our friends, our community.

This summer, challenge yourself to get on your bike and ride to support long-term care in our community. Set a personal distance goal, ride at your own pace and on your own schedule, and track your progress along the way, all summer long or all at once. It's your ride, your way.

All ages. All fitness levels. Any route.

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What We Are Biking For

Loneliness is one of the most serious and least talked about challenges facing older adults today. Research shows that up to half of those living in long-term care are at risk of social isolation, and the effects go far beyond feelings of sadness. Isolation is linked to cognitive decline, chronic illness, and a diminished quality of life.

We believe every resident deserves to feel connected, valued, and part of a community, no matter their age or circumstances.

Funds raised through Biking for Bubbies & Zaidies directly support programs at the heart of our work to fight loneliness and isolation.

Our Mealtime Assistance Program ensures residents have the support and companionship they need to maintain their independence at mealtimes, turning a daily routine into a moment of connection and dignity. Companionship Connections brings friendly visitors to those most at risk, offering warmth, presence, and the reassurance that someone cares.
Every dollar you raise makes a meaningful difference in the lives of the residents at Hillel Lodge.

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

Donate/Support a Rider

Fundraising Toolkit

Challenge yourself to get on your bike this summer and ride to support long-term care in our community!

The concept is simple. Set a personal kilometre goal, ride at your own pace and on your own schedule, and track your progress along the way. All ages. All fitness levels. Any location.

Your goal could be 1km,18km, 36km, or 180km- there's no minimum. It's your challenge, ride it your way.

More Questions? Click here to check out our FAQ!

How It Works

1. Register and set your goal
Register and set yourself a kilometre target to ride over the summer. Your goal is personal, the main thing is to have fun and make an impact for the residents who call Hillel Lodge home.

2. Spread the word
Once you're registered, share your fundraising page with friends and family and ask them to support you with a donation. The more you share, the greater the impact for our community.

3. Start your ride
Ride to work, head out on weekends, or tackle your kilometres all at once, it's entirely up to you. You don't have to ride on a single day. Just set a realistic goal and ride to achieve it on your own timeline.

4. Log your kilometres
Track your rides and log your kilometres as you go. You can record them manually, connect a GPS device, or Strava to make it even easier.

5. Celebrate with us
On September 16th, riders, supporters, sponsors, friends, families, and residents come together to celebrate 18 years of Biking for Bubbies & Zaidies and the incredible impact our riders have made on the lives of those who call Hillel Lodge home.

Our Sponsors

Sponsorship Opportunities

Each year, hundreds of riders and supporters come together to raise funds for the residents who call Hillel Lodge home. Sponsoring Biking for Bubbies & Zaidies means putting your brand in front of a engaged, community-minded audience while making a real difference in peoples lives.

Sponsorship opportunities start at $180, with packages ranging up to the Title Partner level. Benefits vary by tier and include logo placement on event materials, t-shirts, recognition in event emails and more.

Download our 2026 Sponsorship Package to learn more, or contact us to find the right fit for your organization.

Download the 2026 Sponsorship Package

FAQ

Whether you are a returning rider, a first-time participant, a donor, a sponsor, or a family member of a Hillel Lodge resident, your questions are welcome here. If you do not find what you are looking for, reach out to us at foundation@hillel-ltc.com or 613-728-3990.

About the Ride Your Way Format

What is a Ride Your Way?

The Ride Your Way format is a new approach to B4B&Z where participants register, fundraise, and celebrate as full members of the B4B&Z community — without being required to ride a specific route on a specific day. You can ride on your own time and your own terms, anywhere you like, at any point before the celebration on September 16. It simply means there is no single starting gun, no fixed route, and no mandatory distance. Just you, your community, and your reason for riding.

Why did B4B&Z move to a Ride Your Way format?

After 17 years of a traditional Sunday group ride, the B4B&Z Event Committee spent time this year asking a simple question: Who are we not reaching? The answer was a long list of people who love Hillel Lodge and have never been able to participate — because they do not own a bike, because a full-day Sunday ride was not accessible, because they live outside Ottawa, or because life simply did not line up with a fixed date and distance. This format removes every one of those barriers. It is not a step back from the tradition — it is an opening up of it.

Is the in-person group ride completely gone?

For 2026, yes — there is no organized group ride on a fixed route. What remains, and what has always been the emotional heart of B4B&Z, is the community celebration at Hillel Lodge on September 16. The Dream Garden, the music, the group photo, the cheque presentation, and the residents — all of it is there. The ride was always the vehicle. The community has always been the destination.

Is this a permanent change?

The Ride Your Way format is the plan for the 18th Annual B4B&Z. The Event Committee will review the format following this year's event and engage the community in shaping what year 19 looks like. Nothing is decided beyond 2026. What we do know is that this year's format will reach more people, raise more awareness for the Lodge, and create a community evening that rivals anything B4B&Z has produced before.

Can I still ride my bike?

Absolutely — and we hope you will. For 17 years, the heart of B4B&Z was a 36-kilometre route through Ottawa's pathways and communities, and that distance still carries meaning. If you want to honour that tradition, ride 36 km. If life calls for something shorter — or longer — that is perfectly fine too. We especially hope you will find a way to ride with friends.

There is something about being on a bike alongside people you care about that makes the kilometres feel like a gift rather than a task. Call someone. Plan a morning. Ride together. And as you ride — wherever you go, whatever distance you choose — we hope you will think about the residents of Hillel Lodge, past and present. The ones who are in the building right now, who will be in the Dream Garden on September 16th, waiting to see you come home. And the ones who were there in previous years, who rode with you in spirit even then. Every kilometre is for them. Log your distance on Strava, Ride With GPS, Apple Fitness, or any app you prefer. Share it with #B4B&Z2026, and we will cheer you on every step of the way.

What if I want to organize a small group ride with friends?

Please do. This is exactly the spirit of B4B&Z. Call your friends, pick a route, 36km if you want to honour the tradition, or whatever works for your group — and ride together. Take a photo at the halfway point. Talk about the residents as you ride. Stop for a coffee. Make it yours. Share your photos with #B4B&Z2026 and tag Hillel Lodge Foundation — we will reshare everyone. Just note that, for insurance and liability reasons, any informal group rides are organized independently and not under the Foundation's umbrella

Registration and Participation

How do I register?

How much does it cost to register?

Registration for B4B&Z 2026 is free. There is no registration fee. What we ask instead is a commitment: every participant is encouraged to raise at least $500 through their personal fundraising page. That is the expectation — and the floor, not the ceiling.

In honour of our 18th year, we are also issuing a special challenge: raise $1,800 or more and join a very small group of B4B&Z participants who have gone above and beyond for the residents of Hillel Lodge. There is no upper limit. The sky truly is the limit — and the residents will feel every dollar of it.

I registered for the in-person ride earlier this year. Does my registration still stand?

Can I participate if I do not own a bike or cannot ride?

Can I participate if I live outside Ottawa?

Absolutely. Register online, fundraise from wherever you are, and ride, walk, or move in whatever way works for you. If you are able to travel to Ottawa for the September 16 celebration, we would love to see you in the Dream Garden. If not, you are still fully part of the B4B&Z community, and we will make sure the event comes to you through live social media coverage throughout the evening.

Can I register a corporate team?

Yes — and we are genuinely excited about this. B4B&Z is open to corporate teams. Register as a group through our peer-to-peer fundraising platform, set up a team fundraising page, and compete on our team leaderboard. Team members can ride individually on their own schedule, and the whole team joins the celebration at Hillel Lodge on September 16. Contact us at foundation@hillel-ltc.com for corporate sponsorship options.

Is there a minimum age to participate?

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