Downturn Slows Elite Charity Events

Coordinators are promoting a one-day Wellesley route, a 47-mile jaunt that requires a fund-raising commitment of just $1,000. Also, for the first time, the age requirement will be lowered from 15 to 13 to encourage families to ride.

"We're just trying to hedge our bets and do what we can to increase fund-raising," said Herskovitz. "We don't want our fund-raising to drop."