LACBC PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

L.A. River Ride June 7
LOS ANGELES COUNTY BICYCLE COALITION ENCOURAGES L.A. BICYCLE RIDERS OF ALL AGES AND SKILL LEVELS TO JOIN L.A. RIVER RIDE TO 'RIDE OUT THE RECESSION'

Los Angeles, June 1, 2009 - The Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition (LACBC) urges all bicycle riders in the Los Angeles area to 'Ride out the Recession' this year by joining the L.A. River Ride, one of the county's best loved annual bicycling events scheduled for Sunday, June 7.

Now in its 9th year, The L.A. River Ride is the biggest, longest, and most diverse organized bicycle ride in L.A. County, and will feature no less than six different rides for riders of every skill level and age group, from advanced and intermediate cyclists to weekend riders, families and kids. New this year, the L.A. River Ride will conveniently start and end at the Autry National Center in centrally located Griffith Park and access the scenic L.A. River Bikeway and parts beyond.

As part of the day's events, LACBC will join New Horizons Family Center and KHS Bicycles as well as invited L.A. county supervisors and others to give away 40 brand new, specially made bicycles to low-income children whose families have been devastated in part by the effects of the recession. LACBC hopes that equipping needy youngsters with bicycles at an early age will enable them to 'ride out the recession' through the enjoyable, healthy and environmentally sustainable activity of bicycling.

"In these trying economic times, we and our sponsors would like to do our small part in helping struggling families partake in the simple pleasure of bicycling so more of us can affordably enjoy L.A. River Ride this year," said Jennifer Klausner, Executive Director of the LACBC. "With rides for kids and adults alike, we encourage everyone to come out and 'Ride out the Recession' together!"

Following the bicycle giveaway, LACBC will host a Kids Ride & Fun Fair that will include safety rodeo hosted by Youth Educational Sports and a festive bike loop, face painting, singing and activities hosted by the L.A. Chapter of Moms In Motion.

New this year, L.A. River Ride will also include a 36-mile training ride for intermediate cyclists. Rides include:

• Kid's Ride & Fun Fair for ages six and under will be held within the parking lot area of the Autry National Center. Registration and festivities begin at 10 a.m.
• 10 Mile Family Ride is intended for the entire family and will travel exclusively along the L.A. River Bike path. Registration begins at 10 a.m., and the ride starts at 11 a.m.
• New 36 Mile Training Ride is intended for intermediate cyclists and will ride on the L.A. River Bike Path and through Downtown to the new Maywood Riverfront Park and back. Registration starts at 7:30 a.m., and the ride starts at 8:30 a.m.
• 50 Mile Half Century Ride is for experienced cyclists and will ride from Autry National Center to Dills Park and the recently renovated Don Knabe Nature Trail in Paramount and back. Registration starts at 7 a.m., and ride starts at 8 a.m.
• 70 Mile Expert Ride, designed for advanced cyclists, will ride along the L.A. River Bikeway and on the street through neighborhoods to Long Beach and back. Registration starts at 7 a.m., and the ride starts at 7:45 a.m.
• 100 Mile Century, also for advanced cyclists, will ride from Autry National Center to Long Beach and beyond, then back to Griffith Park. The ride includes bail out points and support for first-time century riders. Registration starts at 6 a.m. and ride starts at 7 a.m.

Several rest stops have been designated along the ride paths to provide light refreshments and snacks on a first-come, first serve basis. Rest stops include Crystal Park, Maywood Riverfront Park, Ralph C. Dills Park and Shoreline Park.

This year, the L.A. River Ride is going "bottle-less" to reduce the ride's environmental footprint. Cyclists are encouraged to bring their own water containers.

County ride sponsors include county supervisors Gloria Molina, Don Knabe and Zev Yaroslavsky. City ride sponsors include L.A. City Council Members Wendy Greuel, Tom LaBonge, Eric Garcetti, Ed Reyes and Jose Huizar.

"We have made a great investment in our County's river corridors and are proud to join the L.A. River Ride again this year in connecting our local communities to our bike paths where children, families and cyclists explore and enjoy the wonderful natural habitats, passive parks and rest stops all the way to the sea," said Los Angeles County Supervisor Gloria Molina, who this year is sponsoring bicycles for foster care youth.

L.A. River Ride will also feature an eclectic mix of live music at rest stops and the finish area throughout the day sponsored by blues and classic rock group Stone Cold Blues Brigade, Triple Chicken Foot and The Steven Joe Brooks Band, as well as international food fair, beer garden, eco expo, goodie bags, games and prizes for kids. All riders will receive an official L.A. River Ride T-Shirt and a free photo from PhotoCrazy.com and a chance to win cycling-related raffle prizes including a folding bike from Dahon and bikes from REI.

L.A. River Ride will be fully supported. REI, Bike Kitchen, Bike Oven And Bikerowave will be on hand at all stops with mechanical support, California Emergency Medical Patrol will provide medical assistance and LACBC will provide vehicle support if any riders are unable to complete the ride.

Riders will also have the opportunity to meet many local government and media VIPs and other cycling celebrities. In addition to L.A. city and county government, sponsors include: Los Angeles World Airports, Metro,City of Long Beach, New Belgium Brewing, REI, CH2MHILL, Laemmle Theatres, DT Swiss, 93.1 Jack FM, Photo Crazy, Avant Garde, 789 Inc., Sparkletts, Good Samaritan Hospital, Clif Bar, Autry National Center, KHS Bicycles, ELIYA-USA, Moms in Motion, Dahon, Whole Foods Market, Vigor, Universal Photography, Powerade, Junky Rusty Bikes and Hollywood Racks.

Registration is $49 for adults and $15 for children. Those who become members of the LACBC can purchase a one-year membership and register for the L.A. River Ride for just $60.

To register for the ride, visit www.la-bike.org.

Proceeds from the L.A. River Ride support the completion of the L.A. River Bikeway and the work of Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition, the only nonprofit advocacy group representing all of the county's more than three million cyclists.

Since its founding in 1998, Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition has shown a strong commitment to revitalizing the L.A. River and its environs as an important and often overlooked part of L.A. County through advocacy, education and outreach.

For information, visit www.la-bike.org or call 213-629-2142.

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