In an effort to break the Guinness record for fastest transcontinental crossing average by bicycle and to raise money and awareness for the fight against cancer, six cyclist are going to ride cross-country from San Diego to Washington, D.C., July 1 through Aug. 2.
The Livestrong Across America cycling team consists of six riders: Richard James III, Charlie Dixon, Britt Gober, Joe Haggquist, Eric Laing and Tom Simon, all from Beaumont, Texas.
In addition to spreading cancer awareness, James intends to introduce Adventures of the Elements (AOE), aiming to build the next generation of cancer fighters. AOE is a program designed to effectively captivate kids and teach them science creatively using mediums to which they gravitate, such as television, movies and games.
“The program works hand in hand with the tour as it teaches chemistry in a fun manner,” James said. “By teaching science in a manner that kids like, we’re helping to encourage kids to learn science to become those future engineers, doctors and scientists that look for cures for cancer. In that regard, it fits perfectly with this tour across America and everything that the Lance Armstrong Foundation is attempting to accomplish.”
James is a lead sponsor, educator and creator of the AOE edutainment line of products.
Cyclists interested in joining the cross-country team on their 33-city route are encouraged to visit their local bike shops and the Web site to register by the June 20 deadline. Download the registration form and view the list of rally points and departure times online at www.sportssocietyforamericanhealth.com or www.livestrongacrossamerica.com.
The registration fee is $50 per cyclist to ride with the team locally and $250 additionally to ride the day leg from city to city. It is $1,000 to ride the entire tour. The cycling registration fee is tax deductible and will go to support the Lance Armstrong Foundation for cancer research.
Riders will be asked to sign a liability waiver as a condition of participation.
The $250 fee includes a T-shirt, snacks and labor for bike maintenance support team for a leg of the tour. Fees can be made payable to Live Strong Across America in care of Sports Society for American Health, 500 Granite Parkway, Suite 200, Plano, Texas 75024.
To celebrate the ride completion, a sponsorship dinner will be held Aug. 3 at the Sofitel Hotel in Washington, D.C. Tickets will be available for $150 by downloading the registration form.
Corporate sponsors or groups interested in sponsoring a group of four to cycle with the team for one leg, across an individual state or the entire tour may contact Patricia Gavin, (214) 434-9629, by June 20. Bike shops are also encouraged to contact Gavin.