Curt’s Ride to Cure Cancer

Press release submitted by Deborah Lavery Powers

September 25, 2014 1:45 p.m.

Curt’s Ride Foundation

Ever dream of bicycling down the road, maybe even with hands off the handlebars – free of all other responsibilities for a bit? If so, here’s an opportunity to do so vicariously — even if “vicarious” isn’t on your agenda for today.

But how?  Just come on over to Sliders on Friday evening the 3rd of October, at 5:30 p.m., and meet the cyclists who will start peddling their way to Key West from right here in town (1728 Heather Street in Amelia Park) the next morning.

The leader of these otherwise sane, reasonable and mature cycling enthusiasts is Dave Lavery — who undertook the whole 620 miles — by himself — the first year. The next year, he was joined by three women friends – how crazy was THAT? This year there will be 10 riders, 8 peddling the entire way, 1 for the first half, and 1 joining them in Miami for the last 163 miles of the 8 day adventure. (They take a rest day in Boca Raton on Day 5.)

The team will be at Sliders and happy to share as many of their past adventures as you would like to hear. Just ask!

Dave: All you need to do is walk up to him, introduce yourself, and say one word: “Tires.”

Bill: This is his first ride — and he’s going for the full 620. He might be willing to tell you how he got roped into THAT one.

Cynette: Perhaps, “What’s behind your, ‘Onward and Upward (mostly!)’ motto?, or maybe you should ask, “Is there a winery on the way???”

Jeff: How about, “Rugby, anyone?”

Greg: You could ask him what he surprisingly found himself committing to while innocently (my word, not his) attending a singer/songwriter concert at Barbara/John Harris’s house with his sister, Lee Buchanan.

Lisa: One of her most memorable and happiest birthdays happened on the trail. She will probably beam if you ask about it. Or you might want to talk to her about “staying together.”

Sam: She is not so sure she wants to remember her 163 miles on the trail last year, but she’s back! This time going for the full 620. “How come?” may be what you want to ask her.

Stacey: I’m betting she will delight in telling you about chocolate milk – the wonder drink. Or, “look, ma, no hands!”

Steve: He drives the sag wagon. “So just what does the SAG Wagon guy do?”

Tom: How about, “Curt’s What???”, or if you want to see Tom groan, “Bike Shipping”

By far the most important thing about Curt’s Ride– and your vicarious journey with the team — is raising funds to help find a cure for cancer. So please go to http://curtsride.com, and under ‘Curt’s Team,’ read the members’ profiles. They are all riding to commemorate family, friends and everyone else who has been directly and personally affected by cancer – and each brings with them a particularly personal reason for joining Curt’s Team.

The team’s goal this year is $25,000. Last year the six principals raised $23,225. Amazing achievement for just six people!  As of today, this year’s 10 have raised $$19,541.87 — or 78% of their goal.

So, do come and meet the riders and chat with them about their previous cycling adventures over an adult (or not so adult) beverage – while tasting some sample dishes from their cookbook. Oh, almost forgot to mention, they have a few extra cookbooks to sell. Naturally!

They will have arrived in town just hours before the event starts at 5:30 – but will take enough time to don their bright yellow t-shirts which will make them easy to recognize. And they have extra t-shirts to sell, too. Of course!

Then you are, furthermore, more than welcome to go to curtsride.info and donate to the team as a whole, or to a single rider if you can’t make the fundraiser. Surprised?

And p.s.: If you’d like to ride the first few miles — or even days — from Fernandina Beach — or join in the adventure next year, please come to Sliders and meet the team.

Lots more details may be found at curtsride.com. And you may follow the team as it peddles its way by “liking” Curt’s Ride to Cure Cancer on Facebook (no need to be a FB member to do so).