Written by Veteran and casual cyclists invited to join 70-mile ride Sunday, July 26.
The American Cancer Society invites both casual and avid cyclists to join its inaugural Bicycles Battling Cancer event set for Sunday, July 26. This 70-mile ride will begin at Clark University in Worcester and end at Hellenic College in Brookline, and allows participants a way to support the Society’s critical mission to save lives and create more birthdays by helping people stay well and get well, by finding cures and by fighting back against cancer.
The first 20 miles of the route takes riders from Worcester through Oxford, Millbury and Sutton, and then north to the halfway point in Hopkinton. The second half of the route takes riders through towns such as Medway, Millis, Medfield, Dover and through Needham to Newton with the finish in Brookline.
There is a $50 registration fee and an $800 minimum fundraising goal to participate. With so many reasons to ride, avid cyclists or beginners can participate and make a difference.
Peter Sleight, Framingham resident and president of Everactive, a health and fitness coaching company, is teaming up with Bicycles Battling Cancer as a volunteer trainer. “It’s that time of year again where many begin their outdoor bicycle exercise routine,” he said. “By joining this event, you will not only get into the best shape of your life, but you’ll be helping to give hope to those who are facing a cancer diagnosis.” Sleight has more than 18 years of professional experience and is a USA cycling expert certified coach. Comprehensive training information can be located on the event’s Web site, as well as a section for training questions called “Ask the Coach.”
Visit www.cancer.org/bicyclesbattlingcancer for more information.
Worcester and Boston are home to two of the Society’s Hope Lodges, free, temporary housing facilities for cancer patients and their caregivers needing to travel far from home for treatment. In 2010, organizers plan to expand the ride to begin at the third New England Hope Lodge location in Burlington, Vt., with a stop in Worcester, and concluding in Boston. One-, two-, and four-day options will be available.
All registered cyclists will receive an event jersey and be entered into a drawing for a special Seven Cycle bike, built with the latest advances in materials technology and design innovations. For every additional $500 raised beyond the $800 minimum, cyclists will receive an additional entry into the drawing.
For more information about this event, to register, or to volunteer for Bicycles Battling Cancer, please visit www.cancer.org/bicyclesbattlingcancer or contact the American Cancer Society at 1.800.ACS.2345.
