Bobby Labonte Foundation Announces Fourth Annual Charity Bike Ride

People ride bicycles for many reasons — exercise, fun, transportation — but the Bobby Labonte Foundation wants bicyclists to come together this fall for one unified reason. The foundation and its founder, NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Bobby Labonte, will host the fourth annual Archdale Drug “Tour de Reason” Bike Ride on Saturday, October 4, in Trinity, N.C., to raise awareness for cycling safety.

 

The ride will benefit Bicycling in Greensboro (BIG), which advocates improved conditions for and awareness of cycling in the Greensboro area. The event will also support Communities In Schools of Randolph County Backpack Pals Program, which provides nutritional meals for schoolchildren on weekends.

 

The event will consist of three different routes with distances of 50, 70 and 100 kilometers through the rolling hills of Randolph County. The ride will feature live timing and scoring. The challenging courses were mapped by a USA Cycling-sanctioned team member and include routes for both recreational and experienced cyclists. Labonte, an avid cyclist, will ride on the 100-kilometer (63.5-mile) course. Cyclists can register now at bobbylabontefoundation.org/CharityBikeRide.

 

Registration will open at 8:30 a.m. and the ride will begin at 9:30 a.m., starting and finishing at Wheatmore High School in Trinity, N.C. The pre-registration cost is $25 for a member of a team of eight and $30 for an individual rider. Registration will be available the day of the event based on availability for $35. The first 300 registered cyclists will receive gift bags.

 

The annual ride was born after two cyclists were killed while riding in the Charlotte and Greensboro, N.C., regions in 2010 and 2011. 

 

We have a lot of avid cyclists in North Carolina, and everybody has their own reason for getting on the bike and pedaling, whether it’s for exercise or just for fun or some other reason,” said Labonte. “But one common theme we all need to think about is safety. People need to be aware that cyclists are out there and to be mindful of them. And we need to work with our communities and government leaders to enact programs and laws to encourage cycling and to protect those who want to ride.”

 

Bicycling In Greensboro, Inc. (BIG) is excited to partner with the Bobby Labonte Foundation for the fourth annual Tour de Reason,” said Laura Peoples, executive director of Bicycling in Greensboro. Through his many endeavors, Bobby Labonte supports bicycle safety, healthy living and his community, all values at the core of BIG. We look forward to a wonderful event in October and a strong partnership.

 

The Bobby Labonte Foundation is also using the “Tour de Reason” to further its mission to help local children in need. The event will help support Communities In Schools of Randolph County Backpack Pals Program, which meets the needs of hungry elementary students by sending home a backpack of nutritious, non-perishable, child-friendly food each Friday. Riders, spectators and fans will be encouraged to bring an essential item such as canned meat items, juice boxes, cereal bars, fruit cups, crackers and pudding cups to donate to the program.

 

“Communities In Schools of Randolph County is pleased to be joining with the Bobby Labonte Foundation again this year to raise awareness and funds for our Backpack Pals Program,” said Sandi Norman, executive director of CIS of Randolph County. “It is hard for a child to concentrate on their school work when they are hungry. This program, however, does more than feed an empty stomach. It lets children know that someone does care about them.”

 

Archdale Drug continueits title sponsorship of the “Tour de Reason,” and the event also has support from Coca-Cola. The foundation welcomes any additional local or national support in terms of financial sponsorship or product donations for the day of the event.

 

Pre-registration for the event ends on October 2For further information or to register for the “Tour de Reason,” visit bobbylabontefoundation.org/CharityBikeRide.

 

Bobby Labonte Foundation PR