FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE BY CYCLE FOR HEALTH – www.cycleforhealth.org
October 13, 2010
New York, NY – A new charitable organization to combat childhood obesity trends through cycling – Cycle for Health (www.cycleforhealth.org) – announces their first annual fundraising gala on Friday, November 19, 2010 at the Metropolitan Pavilion, 125 W. 18th St. in New York City. The event will feature 3-time Tour de France Champion Greg Lemond as the featured guest speaker. Other notable guests will be announced soon. Cycle for Health will also become the major benefactor for major competitive events including the America’s largest cycling race, the Tour of the Battenkill and the Tour of the Catskills professional events. Proceeds from these two events in 2011 will be used to further the organization’s mission to:
1. Promote recreational and competitive bicycling for youth and adults
2. Establish and support programs to combat childhood obesity and diabetes
3. Promote proper nutrition and healthy living platforms for children, families and communities
Cycle for Health was founded in 2010 by Tour of the Battenkill director Dieter Drake and co-founder and Cycle for Health Executive Director Peter Barker with the goal of reversing the trends of obesity among youth & adults through recreational and competitive cycling. The first annual fundraising gala will highlight the events and programs that the organization sees as valuable tools to use to promote healthier living, including an expansion of Farm Team Cycling – the already successful competitive youth cycling team based in Cambridge, NY. Other competitive and recreational events and programs are planned nation-wide, including bike-to-school initiatives, bike safety rodeos, family fun rides, and fitness and health programs for adults as well.
Lemond is proud to be associated with the gala event and organization. "I’ve thought for a long time that more should be done on a national scale to get more kids riding bicycles again", he said. "Cycle for Health will fill that real need. With all the issues surrounding cycling these days at the professional level, I am glad someone is getting back to basics, starting with kids."
Showcasing industry sponsors and exhibitors, an event expo will kick off the launch of Cycle for Health at 3 PM. The evening’s gala festivities start at 7 PM with a selection sponsored wines, beer courtesy of Brooklyn Brewery, and food catered by David Loesch of Tastefully Yours . The gala is cycling-event styled with ‘rider’ numbers, podium presentations for silent & live auction winners, videos and photo presentations of 2010 events including the Tour of the Battenkill, Tour of the Catskills, and Greg Lemond’s career. ‘Cycling chic’ is the dress and participants are encouraged to wear their favorite team jersey. Renowned race announce Dave Towle of Boulder, Colorado will emcee the event.
Interested guests may register via the website – www.cycleforhealth.org
For further information, including event expo, sponsorship and volunteer opportunities, please contact Cycle for Health at 1-212-426-6032 or Beth Barker, bbarker@cycleforhealth.org