The Arthritis Foundation’s California Coast Classic Bicycle Tour Gets Rolling for a Cure

Sept. 10, 2014 - PRLog -- LOS ANGELES, CA. – The Arthritis Foundation’s 14^th annual California Coast Classic Bicycle Tour, presented by Amgen, will begin this Saturday, September 13, with approximately 200 cyclists riding to raise $1 million to support the mission of the Arthritis Foundation. The California Coast Classic Bicycle Tour (CCCBT) is an eight-day, fully supported ride along beautiful Highway One, starting in San Francisco and ending in Los Angeles on September 20.

“We’re thrilled that funds raised from this year’s California Coast Classic Bicycle Tour will push us over the $13 million mark,” said Manny Loya, CEO of the Arthritis Foundation, Pacific Region.   “We anticipate that the CCCBT will maintain its coveted status as the Arthritis Foundation’s largest single fund raising event in the nation.” He added, “We are very grateful to our dedicated riders, sponsors, and volunteers who work hard to support the success of the Bicycle Tour and help advance our mission to find a cure.”

Almost 53 million people, including 300,000 children, live with the pain and disability of arthritis. Many of the riders suffer from arthritis themselves or are riding for friends or family members affected by the disease. The cyclists range from beginner to expert riders, working together to complete the scenic 525-mile course while raising money to support the Arthritis Foundation’s vital research, advocacy and programs for those with arthritis.

Riders are still fund raising, and the public is encouraged to visit CaliforniaCoastClassic.org to continue to donate to the tour through October 31.

This year’s CCCBT sponsors include presenting sponsor: Amgen (http://www.amgen.com/); premier sponsors: Safeway Inc (http://www.safeway.com/IFL/Grocery/Home)., The Cement Bloc (http://www.thecementbloc.com/) and Green Earth Enterprise (http://www.earthenterprise.com/); generous sponsors: Clif Bar & Company (http://www.clifbar.com/), ElliptiGO, (http://www.elliptigo.com/) The SOUND (http://thesoundla.com/),  ViaSat Inc (https://www.viasat.com/), Genentech (http://www.gene.com/), Haibike (http://www.haibike.de/en/Haibike-94.html), 95.5 KLOS, (http://www.955klos.com/)  Amgen Tour of California (http://www.amgentourofcalifornia.com/)  and Sutter Health (http://www.sutterhealth.org/); rest stop and product donors: Dole (http://www.dole.com/), AQUAhydrate (http://www.aquahydrate.com/), Coffee Bean (http://www.coffeebean.com/), Zico (http://zico.com/), 99 Cents Only (http://99only.com/), GU Energy Labs (http://guenergy.com/), Hubert’s Lemonade (https://www.hubertslemonade.com/), Mama’s Boy Tequila (http://mamasboybrands.com/), Primal Wear (http://www.primalwear.com/), David’s Tea (http://www.davidstea.com/), Rip Van Wafels (http://www.ripvanwafels.com/), Rocky Mounts (http://www.rockymounts.com/) and Zinka. (http://zinka.com/)

Learn more about arthritis and Arthritis Foundation resources at arthritis.org. (http://www.arthritis.org/)  Stay up to date on the tour’s progress by visiting www.CaliforniaCoastClassic.org and Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/groups/CACoastClassic/).

About the Arthritis Foundation

Striking one in every five adults and 300,000 children, arthritis is the nation’s leading cause of disability. The Arthritis Foundation is committed to raising awareness and reducing the impact of this serious disease, which can severely damage joints and rob people of living life to its fullest. The Foundation funds life-changing research that has restored mobility in patients for more than six decades; fights for health care policies that improve the lives of the millions who live with arthritis; and partners with families to provide empowering programs and information.