california coast classic 2018

Cycling the California Coast for A Cure!

On Saturday, September 22, 2018, the Arthritis Foundation’s 18th Annual California Coast Classic Bike Tour (CCC) began their journey from San Francisco’s Pier 39. About 180 riders embarked on an 8-day, fully supported tour down the coast of California’s famous Highway 1, with stops along the way in Santa Cruz, Monterey, Big Sur, Cambria, Oceano, Buellton, Ventura and crossing the finish line in Los Angeles.

Today, Tuesday, September 25, CCC riders will be cycling 72.8-miles and making their way from Big Sur to Cambria. They will ride through Big Sur’s pine-scented forests and see jaw-dropping coastal sights all the way past Hearst Castle, over the Twin Sisters, and into Cambria.

Last year, heavy winter storms compromised the Pfeiffer Canyon Bridge in Big Sur and the Mud Creek landslide obliterated a swath of Highway 1. For the first time in 17 years, the CCC was forced to detour inland through King City and Paso Robles. This year however, CalTrans announced in June that its project to rebuild Highway 1 through Big Sur was running months ahead of schedule. CCC staff quickly jumped into action and were able to successfully re-route the 8-day tour.

The return to CCC’s traditional route is a fantastic development for the 18-year-old fundraiser, which hopes to raise $1 million to benefit adults and children affected by more than 100 types of arthritis and related rheumatic conditions.

“It’s a dream come true,” said Shannon Marang Cox, development director for the CCC. “Not only are we returning to our beloved route, our participants will have the once-in-a-lifetime distinction of being among the very first cyclists to ride 13 acres of brand new highway along California’s scenic coastline!”

The CCC is excited to welcome back tour veterans, including Adrienne Rubin and Pete Staylor, both of which will be utilizing electric-assist bikes (e-bikes) to take part in the ride.

Adrienne is a wonderful supporter of the Arthritis Foundation and has raised a staggering $45,000 so far as the Team Avanti team captain. She has not been able to ride for a few years but will be participating in her 8th CCC bike tour. Adrienne will be using an e-bike – which is very different for her – but is allowing her to ride once again as she can no longer clip in to a traditional road bike.

Pete gave up cycling a couple of years ago due to arthritis, but he is back this year as a team captain, top fundraiser and rider thanks to his new e-bike and his dedication to the Arthritis Foundation mission.

“I’m really looking forward to doing this year’s CCC, “says Pete. “I have already logged over 500 miles on my electric assist bike and am anxious to get out on the coast once again. Having over 140 donors supporting me this year has helped motivate me as well.”

Joining the CCC for the first time this year is actress Nancy Travis, who currently stars in ABC’s comedy Last Man Standing alongside Tim Allen. While she didn’t even own a bicycle to begin with, Nancy notes that she is riding in honor of her mother.

“My mom suffered from severe rheumatoid arthritis, “says Nancy. “It is a chronic disease which is extremely painful, debilitating and depressing. It prevented my mom from being able to live a full life with her family. She called it, ‘the monkey on her back’. I have committed to ride a bike from San Francisco to the Pacific Palisades – over 500 miles in 8 days to improve the lives of arthritis sufferers. I ride because my mom couldn’t.”

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.

Follow along the tour on the Arthritis Foundation California Facebook, or to donate, find out more information about the event or register for the 2019 ride, please visit arthritis.org/CaliforniaCoastClassic.

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