Tour of Hope (tm) 2005
Published by Kathy on Monday, August 15, 2005 at 9:13 AM.
Once again this year, Bristol-Myers Squibb is sponsoring a cycling tour across America. The funds are being raised to help with cancer research and to find a cure faster. Lance Armstrong will be leading a group of 24 cyclists from San Diego to Washington D. C. This year's tour will begin on September 29 and end on October 8. Ending celebrations will take place on the Ellipse in D. C.
All of the riders as well as Lance Armstrong have been "touched by cancer" in some way or another and their message is to let people know that participating in cancer clinical trials is a worthwhile and advantageous thing. The riders may have survived cancer or had a family member who had to deal with the disease. Some of them are medical researchers and professionals who either treat patients with cancer or are working on researching for a cure.
The cross-country distance will be covered 100 miles at a time with a relay format. The public is encouraged to come out and offer support for the riding team, so be sure to check your local paper and media to find out if the tour will be crossing a city near you.
The distance for the ride is a total of 3,300 miles and the team will consist of four "squads" with six riders in each squad. Things that will affect how long or how far each rider will actually cycle will be things such as road conditions, the weather, and how fast the rider may feel fatigue or weakness, illness, and so on.
Cancer centers across the country and along the cycling route will be setting up events for raising the awareness on cancer research. The cyclists will be stopping at some of those centers along the route to share their personal stories about how cancer has touched their lives or how they are involved in the treatment or research for a cure.
If you are in the Washington D. C. area or can be there on October 8, there is not only a celebration for the tour ending, but there will also be a fundraiser for cancer research that the public can participate in. It is also in the form of a ride, and you can choose from a 50 mile or 10 mile ride. Lance will be leading the pack for the 50 mile course.
The 50 mile ride will begin at 7 a.m. and the 10 mile ride (they merge for the last leg of the route) will begin at around 9 a.m. Your ride will end as the Tour of Hope (tm) ends, with a celebration including live music, a health fair, and guest speakers.
There are some stipulations, however. You need to be able to commit to raising $500 for cancer research. You will be provided with a web address at which people can make pledges to support your ride. When you register to ride, you will need to make a $50 donation and then pledge to raise the other $450, so it will take some work to be able to "ride with Lance."
Other stipulations: You need to ride 50 miles in less than 3 hours and 45 minutes. (Average speed 14 mph) There will be food and drink stops for the 50 mile ride. You need to be 18 or older to participate.
