$1 Million Fundraising Goal Set for Riders both on the Tour and Riding Remotely
SAN FRANCISCO – September 21, 2021 /ENDURANCE SPORTSWIRE/ — The Arthritis Foundation’s California Coast Classic (CCC) Bike Tour presented by Amgen left San Francisco on Saturday morning for its annual 525-mile eight-day bicycle tour to raise $1 million for the Arthritis Foundation.
As of Monday morning, the CCC’s 165 in-person riders, plus 25 (remote) RR X CCC Challenge riders had raised $999,454 of the event’s $1 million goal. The running total and donation opportunities are at arthritis.org/californiacoastclassic.
“For more than two decades, this event has helped raise funds and bring life-changing tools and resources to people with arthritis, and this year’s ride is even more critical to the foundation and its beneficiaries coming after 18 months of fundraising delays due to the pandemic,” said Mark Rieck, senior executive director at the Arthritis Foundation. “The need has never been greater, and the money raised this week will also support the 300,000 kids and teens with arthritis through the national Juvenile Arthritis Conference and be used to help accelerate the path to better treatments and a cure.”
The 2021 tour started Saturday, September 18, and runs through Saturday, September 25, when riders arrive to Los Angeles. Each rider raises a minimum of $3,500 to participate in the CCC.
The route was named the 2019 Best Charity Bike Tour Award by Gran Fondo Guide and is a bucket list ride for cyclists around the world. Following California’s iconic coastline over eight days and 525 miles, cyclists overnight in Santa Cruz, Monterey, Big Sur, Cambria, Oceano, Los Olivos, Ventura, and finish in Los Angeles.
In addition to the group ride, this year’s fundraiser features a unique “remote rider” option, so people who can’t travel to the California event can still participate in the tradition. The RR X CCC Challenge includes free registration and no fundraising commitment, making it easier than for cyclists to participate wherever they are and extending the fundraising effort to any location.
“The pandemic forced us to cancel last year’s in-person ride, but it gave us the opportunity to develop other creative options for people to support the cause, and so our remote ride was born,” Rieck said. “We’ve seen increased interest in RR X CCC Challenge and are excited to have dozens of cyclists around the world participating. We expect this part of our annual event to continue to grow as more people learn about it.”
The complete itinerary is online here, and a summary of mileage, elevation and overnights includes:
- Day 1 – Saturday, September 18: San Francisco to Santa Cruz, 85 miles and 5,100 feet of elevation
- Day 2 – Sunday, September 19: Santa Cruz to Monterey, 51 miles, 2,000 feet
- Day 3 – Monday, September 20: Monterey to Big Sur, 47 miles, 2,800 feet
- Day 4 – Tuesday, September 21: Big Sur to Cambria, 68 miles and nearly 6,100 feet
- Day 5 – Wednesday, September 22: Cambria to Oceano, 58 miles and 1,700 feet
- Day 6 – Thursday, September 23: Oceano to Los Olivos, 66 miles and 3,600 feet
- Day 7 – Friday, September 24: Los Olivos to Ventura, 87 miles and 3,400 feet
- Day 8 – Saturday September 25: Ventura to Los Angeles, 63 miles and 1,800 feet
About the Arthritis Foundation
The Arthritis Foundation is the Champion of Yes. Leading the fight for the arthritis community, the Foundation helps conquer everyday battles through life-changing information and resources, access to optimal care, advancements in science, and community connections. The Arthritis Foundation’s goal is to chart a winning course, guiding families in developing personalized plans for living a full life – and making each day another stride towards a cure (arthritis.org).
About the California Coast Classic Bike Tour
The Arthritis Foundation’s California Coast Classic Bike Tour presented by Amgen, “The Ride of a Lifetime”, is the winner of the 2019 Best Charity Bike Tour Award by Gran Fondo Guide. It began in 2001 and is the flagship fundraising bike tour of the Arthritis Foundation, raising over $1 million dollars annually. The money provides educational resources for adults and children, supports advocacy, funds kids’ camps, and much more. Beginner and experienced cyclists are welcome and encouraged to join the 8-day, fully supported 525-mile journey down the coast of California from San Francisco to Los Angeles each year (arthritis.org/CaliforniaCoastClassic).
