2018 California Coast Classic Bike Tour Raises Over $1 Million for the Arthritis Foundation
As riders of the 2018 California Coast Classic (CCC) Bike Tour made their way into camp on the sandy beachside grounds of Ventura, they were tired, sweaty yet full of energy and smiles. The sounds of cowbells and applause greeted each rider, and soon enough the announcement would come loud and clear from Shannon Marang Cox, CCC Director, and Erin Matthews, CCC Manager. Earlier that morning, the 2018 tour hit the milestone of all milestones - $1 million dollars raised!
This year, 180 participants began their journey from San Francisco’s Pier 39 on Saturday, September 22, along with over 50 volunteers and staff manning tour rest stops along the way. Riders cycled at their own pace and made their way down the coast of California’s famous Highway 1, stopping overnight in Santa Cruz, Monterey, Big Sur, Cambria, Oceano, Buellton, Ventura and eventually crossing the finish line in Los Angeles on Saturday, September 29.
Each day riders heard personal stories from tour honorees that ranged from kids, teens and young adults with juvenile arthritis to adults with various forms of arthritis. This year’s honorees included Chris Lindsay, Shane Cox, Liam Niewhohner, Megan Macarthur, Kendra Laguilles, Lana Lilienstein, 2018 Tour Volunteers and JA Warriors and their families. This year’s CCC was also bittersweet for each rider, as many rode in honor of Dan Hurley, a 14-year CCC veteran and Los Angeles board member who passed earlier this year.
The 2018 finish line was full of life on the campus of Palisades Charter High School, as volunteers, family and friends made posters, rang more cowbells and gave a rousing welcome as cyclists made their way in. The top five fundraisers – Adrienne Rubin ($51,905), Kyle Berg ($31,165), Lee Ruttenberg ($29,340), Derek Engfelt ($25,395) and Nancy Travis ($20,082), along with the top five teams – Team Carter ($125,316), Team Billy ($103,458), Team Avanti ($54,205), Team AMGEN ($53,884) and Team San Diego ($53,538) were honored along with each participant, at the closing ceremonies for their phenomenal fundraising efforts. After 525 miles and eight days down the coast, the ride of a lifetime was complete.
[caption id="attachment_1489" align="alignleft" width="233"]
Adrienne Rubin[/caption]
“I feel great and am already signed up for next year! This is my eighth year riding the California Coast Classic and I never thought I would ride again. A few years ago, I crushed my foot when I fell down my stairs and had to have major surgery. I had a great surgeon, because I’m here and back on the bike, “said Adrienne Rubin, this year’s top fundraiser. “My husband has arthritis and has had 12 surgeries because of it. He’s okay now, but those first years, all the medications – I want to see a cure. I do this ride and raise money because it’s not only older people that are affected by this disease, it’s children, young adults – it’s everyone.”
In support of the California Coast Classic Bike Tour, California Pizza Kitchen has partnered with the Arthritis Foundation to help raise critical funds and awareness to conquer arthritis. 20% of food and beverage sales throughout the day will be donated to this year’s CCC. To participate and have a portion of your check donated, present the flyer or simply mention you're dining to support the Arthritis Foundation! Valid at ALL California locations on Monday, October 15 all day for dine-in, takeout and catering.
[caption id="attachment_1490" align="alignright" width="233"]
Suzy Stone and Dennis Ehling[/caption]
The 18th Annual California Coast Classic Bike Tour is presented by AMGEN, and supported by generous sponsors including: KIND, Honey Stinger, Harmless Harvest, Brown Butter Cookie Company, Kill Cliff, Pfizer, Genentech, GHK Creative, Safeway Foundation, Raceday Transport, Calabasas Country Club, PowerCrunch, Dierberg, California Pizza Kitchen, Cheribundi, California Adventure Sports Journal, LiquidIV, APX Sport Drink, JellyBelly Sport Beans, Udderly Smooth, Rock Tape, Dole, SetPoint Medical, DT Swiss, KT Tape, Smart & Final, Sore No More, La Tortilla Factory, Southern California Life Magazine, Temerity, Alosta Brewing, Lagunitas Brewing, Bear Republic Brewing Company, J. Lohr, Primal, Zaca Mesa Winery, Firestone Walker Brewing Company, Cyclists Massage and Sentio Cycling.https://events.arthritis.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=donorDrive.event&eventID=745
Registration is now open for the 2019 CCC tour - to find out more information about the event, please visit arthritis.org/CaliforniaCoastClassic.
This year, 180 participants began their journey from San Francisco’s Pier 39 on Saturday, September 22, along with over 50 volunteers and staff manning tour rest stops along the way. Riders cycled at their own pace and made their way down the coast of California’s famous Highway 1, stopping overnight in Santa Cruz, Monterey, Big Sur, Cambria, Oceano, Buellton, Ventura and eventually crossing the finish line in Los Angeles on Saturday, September 29.
Each day riders heard personal stories from tour honorees that ranged from kids, teens and young adults with juvenile arthritis to adults with various forms of arthritis. This year’s honorees included Chris Lindsay, Shane Cox, Liam Niewhohner, Megan Macarthur, Kendra Laguilles, Lana Lilienstein, 2018 Tour Volunteers and JA Warriors and their families. This year’s CCC was also bittersweet for each rider, as many rode in honor of Dan Hurley, a 14-year CCC veteran and Los Angeles board member who passed earlier this year.
The 2018 finish line was full of life on the campus of Palisades Charter High School, as volunteers, family and friends made posters, rang more cowbells and gave a rousing welcome as cyclists made their way in. The top five fundraisers – Adrienne Rubin ($51,905), Kyle Berg ($31,165), Lee Ruttenberg ($29,340), Derek Engfelt ($25,395) and Nancy Travis ($20,082), along with the top five teams – Team Carter ($125,316), Team Billy ($103,458), Team Avanti ($54,205), Team AMGEN ($53,884) and Team San Diego ($53,538) were honored along with each participant, at the closing ceremonies for their phenomenal fundraising efforts. After 525 miles and eight days down the coast, the ride of a lifetime was complete.
[caption id="attachment_1489" align="alignleft" width="233"]
Adrienne Rubin[/caption]“I feel great and am already signed up for next year! This is my eighth year riding the California Coast Classic and I never thought I would ride again. A few years ago, I crushed my foot when I fell down my stairs and had to have major surgery. I had a great surgeon, because I’m here and back on the bike, “said Adrienne Rubin, this year’s top fundraiser. “My husband has arthritis and has had 12 surgeries because of it. He’s okay now, but those first years, all the medications – I want to see a cure. I do this ride and raise money because it’s not only older people that are affected by this disease, it’s children, young adults – it’s everyone.”
In support of the California Coast Classic Bike Tour, California Pizza Kitchen has partnered with the Arthritis Foundation to help raise critical funds and awareness to conquer arthritis. 20% of food and beverage sales throughout the day will be donated to this year’s CCC. To participate and have a portion of your check donated, present the flyer or simply mention you're dining to support the Arthritis Foundation! Valid at ALL California locations on Monday, October 15 all day for dine-in, takeout and catering.
[caption id="attachment_1490" align="alignright" width="233"]
Suzy Stone and Dennis Ehling[/caption]The 18th Annual California Coast Classic Bike Tour is presented by AMGEN, and supported by generous sponsors including: KIND, Honey Stinger, Harmless Harvest, Brown Butter Cookie Company, Kill Cliff, Pfizer, Genentech, GHK Creative, Safeway Foundation, Raceday Transport, Calabasas Country Club, PowerCrunch, Dierberg, California Pizza Kitchen, Cheribundi, California Adventure Sports Journal, LiquidIV, APX Sport Drink, JellyBelly Sport Beans, Udderly Smooth, Rock Tape, Dole, SetPoint Medical, DT Swiss, KT Tape, Smart & Final, Sore No More, La Tortilla Factory, Southern California Life Magazine, Temerity, Alosta Brewing, Lagunitas Brewing, Bear Republic Brewing Company, J. Lohr, Primal, Zaca Mesa Winery, Firestone Walker Brewing Company, Cyclists Massage and Sentio Cycling.https://events.arthritis.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=donorDrive.event&eventID=745
Registration is now open for the 2019 CCC tour - to find out more information about the event, please visit arthritis.org/CaliforniaCoastClassic.