First-Ever All-Female Team at Pro-Am Cycling Event is Changing Lives

CHICAGO - July 18, 2014 - PRLog -- – This August, World Bicycle Relief is enrolling an all-female team, the first of its kind in the history of the Trois Etapes, the world’s finest pro-am cycling event. For this momentous occasion, Ironman legend Chrissie Wellington, Professional Cyclist Evelyn “Evie” Stevens of Specialized-lululemon, and President of the Women’s Cycling Association Robin Farina are riding alongside five female amateur riders with a goal to mobilize women and girls in rural Africa and promote women’s cycling around the world.

In just a few years, the Trois Etapes has become the must-ride event for serious amateurs who want the thrill of races like the Tour de France, to ride with a pro and experience cycling like a pro. It only made sense for World Bicycle Relief to use this platform to create more momentum with the first women’s team riding together to create change in the cycling world but also in developing countries.

“[Participating in the Trois Etapes] is a once in a lifetime opportunity to shine a light on the power of sport, and to show that change really can happen, one pedal stroke at a time,” said Wellington. These amazing ladies are not only riding to empower fellow female riders, they are also raising funds to provide specially-designed, locally-assembled bicycles to communities in rural Africa, with a special focus on connecting women and girls with education, healthcare and economic opportunities.

Compared side by side, the contrast between a racing bike and a Buffalo Bicycle couldn’t be greater. One is a custom carbon road weapon with power measurement and ultra-lightweight components; the other is a single speed, utility workhorse made from heavy duty steel with a rear rack that can carry 200lbs. The former will be used to get its rider up some of the most iconic passes in cycling and in doing so will provide hundreds of the latter to students and mothers in Zambia to help them access independence and livelihood.

World Bicycle Relief is one of 11 charity partners’ participation in the Trois Etapes. Since its inception in 2012, the Trois Etapes has helped raise over $5 million for the participating charities. Other professional riders at this year’s event are Tour de France winner, Carlos Sastre, Nicole Cooke, and Emma Pooley.

With just under one month until the start of the third edition of the Trois Etapes, riders are training hard and preparations are well underway for what will be the ultimate cycling experience through the French Pyrénées. The Trois Etapes Tour de France runs from Aug. 7 through Aug. 10.

To support the women’s team, please visit the team’s page here > http://fundraise.worldbicyclerelief.org/troisetapesallfemaleteam

To learn more about the riders on the women’s team and why they are riding, please visit here >

http://www.worldbicyclerelief.org/our-story/news/blog/538-announcing-the-first-ever-womens-team-at-the-trois-etapes

For more information about the event or how to get involved, please reach out to Jen Schofield at events@worldbicyclerelief.org.

For all media-related inquiries, please reach out to:

·     World Bicycle Relief’s media contact, Brooke Slezak at brooke@brookeslezak.com

·     Women’s Cycling Association media contact, Donna Feazell at donna@grunduskigroup.com

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Images:

High resolution images are available upon request.

About the Women’s Team:

The mission of this unique team is multi-fold: 1) to raise funds to empower and mobilize more women (students, healthcare workers, mothers, entrepreneurs, etc. ) in rural parts of Africa through World Bicycle Relief’s programming; 2) to help women’s cycling grow by being the first-ever all-female team at the event; 3) to create an opportunity for women to come together as one to raise awareness and create change around the world; and 4) to help the development and advancement of women’s cycling on the international scene.

About World Bicycle Relief:

World Bicycle Relief is a 501(c)(3) organization transforming lives through The Power of Bicycles®. World Bicycle Relief’s mission is accomplished by designing, sourcing and manufacturing bicycles designed to withstand African terrain and conditions, while meeting the needs of students, healthcare workers, farmers and entrepreneurs. The work performed by World Bicycle Relief encourages local economies and promotes long-term sustainability by locally assembling bicycles, training mechanics, strengthening the spare parts supply chain, in addition to providing high-quality, affordable bicycles to people in need of transportation.

www.worldbicyclerelief.org

About Cosaveli:

Cosaveli is the proud leading force in the organization of the Trois Etapes. Cosaveli was created by a group of philanthropists driven to leverage corporate and individual donations to global charities. Cosaveli’s flagship event is the Trois Etapes Tour and $4.5 million has been raised in the first two years of the event making it more successful than any other cycling event at creating value for sponsors, charities and riders. Cycling is a beautiful sport, often played out on some of the most dramatic scenery our planet has to offer. Cosaveli’s experience and connections in the sport give us the ability to create and deliver exciting, high quality unparalleled events.

www.cosaveli.com

About Women’s Cycling Association:

The Women’s Cycling Association (WCA) is a coalition of cyclists, across the globe, which supports the advancement and success of women’s cycling on both sporting and business levels. The WCA continues to work with cycling industry companies and other organizations, worldwide, as well as media to grow the sport of cycling and ensure sustainability in women’s cycling for the future.

www.womenscyclingassociation.com