Some of you may remember a column I wrote around this time two years ago about a local kid named Kirk Williams. Kirk was an avid mountain and road biker who lived in Ashland, went to Patrick Henry HS and then took off to Boulder, Co. for college. In the fall of 2009, on a mountain bike ride with friends, Kirk slowed to moved out of the way of a hiker, hit a rock he didn’t see and went over his handlebars. He was paralyzed from the chest down. After over two years of intensive rehab, he’s regained the use of some of the muscles in his arms and hands. But he remains wheel chair-bound.

It’s an expensive world Kirk and his family now inhabit, so I’m writing this post to let RichmondOutside.com readers know about a great event that benefits one of their own — a fellow outdoors lover, who, despite facing many challenges, remains an adventurer and explorer at heart.

On April 22nd, the Williams family will put on the third annual KW Rollout. The event has a little bit of everything: 25, 40, and 64-mile bike rides, a 5-mile run, a dog walk, food, drinks and live entertainment. It’s set up in a field on a big farm in Hanover County, not far from downtown Ashland. Whether you know Kirk and the Williamses or not, the family-friendly festival atmosphere makes this event worth the trip. All the proceeds go toward helping Kirk deal with the expenses of his situation, things like a specially modified van that allows him to drive, a quad rugby chair, etc.

If you have time on April 22nd, check out the KW Rollout. Last year hundreds of Central Virginians showed up. In the meantime, go to the website for more information.