8 Days, 525 Miles – Biking the California Coast For a Cure!
On Saturday, September 24, 2016, the Arthritis Foundation’s 16
th
Annual California Coast Classic Bike Tour will take off from Pier 39 on the beautiful bay of San Francisco. Over 250 riders will embark on an 8-day tour down the coast of California’s famous Highway 1, stopping along the way in Santa Cruz, Monterey, Big Sur, Cambria, Oceano, Buellton, Ventura and concluding on October 1 in Pacific Palisades of Los Angeles.
Celebrating its 16 th consecutive year, the “CCC” brings together riders of all ages from all over the world – with some coming from as far as England and New York, to local Californians representing both northern and southern California. Typically over 65% of CCC riders are veterans and continue coming back year after year.
Each cyclist is required to raise a minimum of $3,300 to participate in the CCC, though many riders far exceed their goal – helping the event to become one of the largest fundraising events for the Arthritis Foundation.
This eight-day, full-service, fully supported ride along California’s scenic Pacific Coast Highway raises funds to help support the Arthritis Foundation’s vital research, advocacy and programs for people with arthritis. Arthritis is America’s leading cause of disability, affecting over 50 million adults and over 300,000 children. The 16 th Annual CCC aims to raise over $1 million.
Riders either camp at designated campsites or opt to stay at local hotels on the tour. At each overnight campsite, riders are treated to a post-ride happy hour, dinner and a presentation to honor children, teens and adults living with arthritis. These individuals are given the opportunity to share their story about living with arthritis, or if they are unable to attend, their stories are shared by a staff lead. Riders often remark that while they signed up for the tour for the “ride of a lifetime” cycling experience, after hearing from the honorees they leave the tour with a passion to continue to help fundraise for a cure.
As a sixth year veteran of the CCC, Dave Ryan started out as cycling skeptic, assuming he was too out of shape to do the ride and unsure of what 8 days on the road would accomplish. But quickly he realized this was an opportunity.
“It became my goal to tell my daughter Caitlin’s story – to share it,” says Dave. “Most people think of arthritis as an old person’s disease, but over 300,000 children in the US have juvenile arthritis. All of a sudden, they start seeing children out there and it strengthens their resolution.”
“When you support the California Coast Classic, you not only experience a bucket list bike ride down our beautiful coast, but also help us fund critical research and resources for those living with arthritis. The disease closely affects some of our riders, while some are simply looking for an inspiring event to be a part of. Regardless, the CCC Bike Tour is a great way to experience the power of standing together and giving back to the community, ” says Shannon Marang Cox, Development Director of the California Coast Classic Bike Tour. “The Arthritis Foundation is committed to conquering everyday battles through life-changing information, vital resources and advancements in science. These riders are true Champions of Yes, and we are so proud of the success of this incredible event.”
The 16 th Annual California Coast Classic Bike Tour is presented by AMGEN, and supported by generous sponsors including: Cement Bloc, Green Earth Enterprise, Dole, Genentech, Safeway, Vons, Cambria/Cycle Central Coast, Chamois Butt’r, Clif, Lather, The Right Stuff, A Social Leader, Raleigh Bikes, Stone Brewing, Telegraph Brewing, Temerity Wines, Ska Brewing, Country Smooth, Shakespeare Vodka, Bag Balm, ViaSat, ElliptiGO, GU, Pearl Izumi, Primal Wear, Alosta, K Edge, Eternal Water and 99 Cents Only Stores.
Follow along the tour on the California Coast Classic Bike Tour Facebook page , or to donate, find out more information about the event or register for the 2017 ride please visit: www.CaliforniaCoastClassic.org .
Celebrating its 16 th consecutive year, the “CCC” brings together riders of all ages from all over the world – with some coming from as far as England and New York, to local Californians representing both northern and southern California. Typically over 65% of CCC riders are veterans and continue coming back year after year.
Each cyclist is required to raise a minimum of $3,300 to participate in the CCC, though many riders far exceed their goal – helping the event to become one of the largest fundraising events for the Arthritis Foundation.
This eight-day, full-service, fully supported ride along California’s scenic Pacific Coast Highway raises funds to help support the Arthritis Foundation’s vital research, advocacy and programs for people with arthritis. Arthritis is America’s leading cause of disability, affecting over 50 million adults and over 300,000 children. The 16 th Annual CCC aims to raise over $1 million.
Riders either camp at designated campsites or opt to stay at local hotels on the tour. At each overnight campsite, riders are treated to a post-ride happy hour, dinner and a presentation to honor children, teens and adults living with arthritis. These individuals are given the opportunity to share their story about living with arthritis, or if they are unable to attend, their stories are shared by a staff lead. Riders often remark that while they signed up for the tour for the “ride of a lifetime” cycling experience, after hearing from the honorees they leave the tour with a passion to continue to help fundraise for a cure.
As a sixth year veteran of the CCC, Dave Ryan started out as cycling skeptic, assuming he was too out of shape to do the ride and unsure of what 8 days on the road would accomplish. But quickly he realized this was an opportunity.
“It became my goal to tell my daughter Caitlin’s story – to share it,” says Dave. “Most people think of arthritis as an old person’s disease, but over 300,000 children in the US have juvenile arthritis. All of a sudden, they start seeing children out there and it strengthens their resolution.”
“When you support the California Coast Classic, you not only experience a bucket list bike ride down our beautiful coast, but also help us fund critical research and resources for those living with arthritis. The disease closely affects some of our riders, while some are simply looking for an inspiring event to be a part of. Regardless, the CCC Bike Tour is a great way to experience the power of standing together and giving back to the community, ” says Shannon Marang Cox, Development Director of the California Coast Classic Bike Tour. “The Arthritis Foundation is committed to conquering everyday battles through life-changing information, vital resources and advancements in science. These riders are true Champions of Yes, and we are so proud of the success of this incredible event.”
The 16 th Annual California Coast Classic Bike Tour is presented by AMGEN, and supported by generous sponsors including: Cement Bloc, Green Earth Enterprise, Dole, Genentech, Safeway, Vons, Cambria/Cycle Central Coast, Chamois Butt’r, Clif, Lather, The Right Stuff, A Social Leader, Raleigh Bikes, Stone Brewing, Telegraph Brewing, Temerity Wines, Ska Brewing, Country Smooth, Shakespeare Vodka, Bag Balm, ViaSat, ElliptiGO, GU, Pearl Izumi, Primal Wear, Alosta, K Edge, Eternal Water and 99 Cents Only Stores.
Follow along the tour on the California Coast Classic Bike Tour Facebook page , or to donate, find out more information about the event or register for the 2017 ride please visit: www.CaliforniaCoastClassic.org .
