Bike Ride to Alaska Starts in Cedar Park
ATLAS Starting Line
CEDAR PARK — On June 1, the longest annual charity bicycle ride in the world, the LIVESTRONG Texas 4000 team will be departing from Cedar Park toward their final destination of Anchorage, Alaska.
This is the 10th annual ride, which is expected to be a 70-day journey.
Riders brave rain, sleet, wind, snow, and heat in support of the fight against cancer and will pedal more than 4,500 miles. Throughout their journey, riders visit with cancer survivors, patients and family members to educate people about cancer prevention and the importance of early detection. They also use this time to offer hope and encouragement and to share their personal stories to cancer fighters of all ages.
After the 70 student riders begin their trek with a community bike ride called ATLAS, they will head north, separating into three routes: the Rockies, Sierra and Ozarks as they continue on a ride twice as long as the Tour de France.
ATLAS is an event where friends, family and the community can ride with the team on their first day of their 70 day journey and get involved in the fight against cancer. Participants can choose from three route distances of 25, 50 or 70 miles. Full SAG, rest stop and mechanical support will be provided. All ages and skill levels are welcome!
The 25-mile route will start at 10 a.m. at the Pillar Bluff Vineyards in Lampasas. The 50- and 70-mile routes will begin at 8am at Running Brushy Middle School in Cedar Park. All routes will finish at the Pillar Bluff Vineyards. For the 50- and 70-mile routes, a shuttle will be provided to bring riders back to the starting location for $20. After the completion of the ride, there will be a big celebration with BBQ, live music and more! Spectators may join in on the celebration and enjoy the food, drinks and activities by purchasing a partner pass. To register to ride or find out more about ATLAS, please visit www.texas4000.org/atlas.
“As most college students are enjoying their relaxing summer vacations, this group of students have chosen a 4,500-mile path less traveled, and they’re doing it on a bike,” said Jimmy Schatte, Texas 4000 Board Chairman. “The dedication and sacrifice shown by these young people is a testament to their desire to end cancer and their drive to make a difference.”
Texas 4000 started nine years ago when, Chris Condit, a University of Texas Student and cancer survivor, sought a way to share a message of hope, knowledge and charity to those with cancer. Since its inception, Texas 4000 has contributed more than $3 million to the fight against cancer and 400 riders have ridden their bicycles more than 2.2 million miles to honor those fighting cancer.
After reaching their final destination in Anchorage, the Texas 4000 riders are honored at the Tribute Gala, which will be held Saturday, August 24, 2013, at Austin Music Hall in the heart of downtown Austin.
Follow the riders on their journey across the United States or make a donation by visiting our website at https://www.texas4000.org/ and reading the riders blogs, following our rider’s Tweets at: http://texas4000.tweetriver.com/ and on Facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/texas4000
About Texas 4000 For Cancer:
Texas 4000 is a nonprofit organization dedicated to preventing and fighting cancer. Each year a team of dedicated University of Texas students brave the elements to complete a more than 4,000-mile bike ride from Austin, Texas to Anchorage, Alaska sharing Hope, Knowledge and Charity along the way. As their flagship event of the year, the LIVESTRONG Texas 4000 ride is the longest annual charity event bike ride in the world. Texas 4000 riders train, fundraise and develop as leaders and servants in the community and to date have contributed more than $2.5 million to the fight against cancer. Cultivating the leaders of tomorrow, Texas 4000 organizes and performs numerous charity events including the Texas 4000 Tribute gala and the ATLAS Ride send-off throughout the year. To learn how you can join the cancer-fighting journey, visit: www.texas4000.org.