Tour of Long Beach
A crowd gathered in front of Miller Children’s Hospital Long Beach to see tykes with cancer and serious blood disorders racing their trikes around the length of Miller Children’s circular driveway to help kick-off the 2012 Tour of Long Beach and BikeFest taking place in downtown Long Beach on Saturday, May 5. Proceeds from the Tour of Long Beach and BikeFest benefit the patients and families at JJCCC.
 Pediatric patients battling cancer and other serious blood disorders from the Jonathan Jaques Children’s Cancer Center (JJCCC) at Miller Children’s raced professional cyclist and 2000 U.S. Olympian, Tony Cruz, Ramesh Patel, M.D., one of their pediatric hematologist/oncologist and Divya Joshi, M.D., MMM, CPE, FAAP, chief medical officer at Miller Children’s. Mayor Bob Foster called out the race as the kids broke through a “Finish Line” banner – needless to say the patients beat the adults fair and square in the race.
“This is a great opportunity to get the best views of our city, as the Tour of Long Beach shows off our ocean views and our unique neighborhoods,” says Mayor Bob Foster. “The Tour is not only a lot of fun but it’s all for a wonderful cause to raise money for pediatric cancer patients and fund research needed to help find a cure.”
Prior to the tricycle race, the Miller Foundation presented a $2 million check to JJCCC for an endowed medical director chair and pediatric cancer research. Representatives from JAX Bicycles were on-hand to provide free tune-ups for anyone who brought their bike to the event.
The kick-off event is the first of a series of events for the 2012 Tour of Long Beach. The tour invites amateur cyclists and bicycle enthusiasts of all skill levels to ride on a 31-mile, 62-mile Metric Century, a new 100-mile “Cruz Gran Fondo” and a 4-mile Family Fun Ride throughout the city. For more information about the Tour of Long Beach and to register, visit bikefestlb.com or call (562) 933-1676.
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Danny is a high school senior, loves to play sports and cheer for his favorite team – the Los Angeles Angels. But this “typical” 17-year-old also has acute lymphoblastic leukemia. At the Jonathan Jaques Children’s Cancer Center at Miller Children’s Hospital Long Beach, Danny’s type of leukemia has a greater than 85% survival rate thanks to extensive research efforts.
Danny is just one of the many children for whom you can cycle. Each rider in the Tour of Long Beach will be paired with a child receiving leading cancer and sickle cell care.
Sponsorship opportunities available. Contact Brett Beck at (562) 933-1676
See photos from the Tour of Long Beach
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Saturday, May 5, 2012
Marina Green Park
540 East Shoreline Drive
Long Beach, Calif.
Fees:
Free - Family Fun Ride
$55 - Tour of Long Beach
$65 - Metric Century
$120 - "Cruz Grand Fondo"
Registration Closing Date:
Thursday, May 3 at 11:59 p.m.
Tour Packet Pick-up:
Friday, May 4, 2012 from 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Avia Hotel, 285 Bay St.
Long Beach, Calif.
Tour of Long Beach Program:
6 a.m. - Late Tour packet pick-up at the Start Line
6:30 a.m. – “Cruz Gran Fondo” riders start
7:30 a.m. - Tour packet pick-up closes
7:30 a.m. - Metric Century riders start
8 a.m. - First wave of Tour riders start
8:05 a.m. - Second wave of Tour riders start
8:10 a.m. - Third wave of Tour riders start
8:30 a.m. - Family Fun Ride Starts
9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. - Bike Festival
Description:
Last year more than $120,000 was raised to support pediatric cancer research at the Jonathan Jaques Childrens Cancer Center (JJCCC) at Miller Children's Hospital Long Beach. JJCCC provides comprehensive, family centered care to children with cancer, sickle cell disease and other serious blood disorders in a culturally sensitive environment.
All Tour of Long Beach riders receive a goody bag, water bottle, event t-shirt, finisher's medal and entry into the BikeFest. “Cruz Gran Fondo” riders receive a jersey instead of a t-shirt. Family Fun riders receive a finisher's medal only.
Choose Your Route:
Family Fun Ride - 4 Miles
The Family Fun Ride is a perfect morning ride for kids, families and youth groups of all ages. Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and other organized groups can use the ride to complete requirements for cycling badges too! This ride is free and participants will receive a finisher's medal and entrance into the BikeFest.
Tour of Long Beach & Metric Century Ride - 31 Miles & 62 Miles
The 31-mile Tour route has been carefully planned by 2000 US Olympian, former Pro Tour Cyclist and Long Beach Bike Ambassador, Tony Cruz. Starting in Downtown Long Beach at Marina Green Park, riders will experience all that Long Beach has to offer: Pacific Ocean views, inland bays and waterways, a bustling downtown waterfront, visitor attractions, scenic parks, plus dozens of eclectic neighborhoods, each with its own style and spirit. There will be an option to Tour twice and ride 62 miles in the Metric Century Ride. The route has four support and gear stations with JAX Bicycle Shop professionals, medical staff and food and water. Riders will finish along Shoreline Drive where finisher's medals, food and refreshments are available. Participants receive a goodie bag, water bottle, event t-shirt, finisher's medal and entry into the BikeFest.
“Cruz Gran Fondo” - 100+ Miles
The 100+ mile “Cruz Gran Fondo” brings Italian cycling culture to Southern California. The course will take cyclists from the iconic Queen Mary in Long Beach through Lakewood, Cerritos, Seal Beach and up Signal Hill. Professional Cyclist Tony Cruz will be leading the ride along with members of Long Beach's Cruz Cycling team. Riders will finish along Shoreline Drive where finisher's medals, food and refreshments are available. Participants receive a goodie bag, water bottle, “Gran Fondo” jersey (mailed if registering after February 17), finisher's medal and entry into the BikeFest.
For the latest updates on the Tour of Long Beach like us on
Facebook.com/MillerChildrensHospital and follow us at tweets@millerchildrens.
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