| 09/19/2002 | More than 100 people from all over California will participate in the "2002 Amgen California Coast Classic Bicycle Tour," an eight-day bicycle ride starting Saturday at Pier 39 at Fisherman's Wharf to benefit the Arthritis Foundation. The Tour will finish in Los Angeles at Universal City on Saturday, September 28, 2002, covering about 520 miles.
"The first California Coast Classic last year was such a success, raising over $300,000, we wanted to offer people the opportunity again to see the California coastline while helping a terrific cause," said Robert J. King, president of the Arthritis Foundation, Southern California Chapter, which organized the Tour. "The Tour has been a great way for us to provide outreach and education to people who suffer from arthritis, which is the leading cause of disability in the United States."
The Amgen California Coast Classic Bicycle Tour is open to people of all ages and athletic ability, and will raise money to help support research to
find the cure for arthritis, as well as improve the quality of life for those affected by the more than 100 forms of arthritis. Arthritis is the country's
leading chronic, debilitating disease, and affects one in six Americans, including more than 300,000 children each year. Juvenile arthritis is medically different from the adult form and in many cases is more severe.
Darren Gosner, a resident of Glendora in Southern California, participated in last year's Tour, and is returning this year. "I had so much fun, and
enjoyed seeing California that I wanted to come back," said Darren. "My mother has arthritis, and I'm riding on her behalf."
The Tour will make the following stops:
Saturday, September 21 -- San Francisco to Santa Cruz
Sunday, September 22 -- Santa Cruz to Monterey
Monday, September 23 -- Monterey to Big Sur
Tuesday, September 24 -- Big Sur to San Simeon
Wednesday, September 25 -- San Simeon to Pismo Beach
Thursday, September 26 -- Pismo Beach to Solvang
Friday, September 27 -- Solvang to Ventura
Saturday, September 28 -- Ventura to Los Angeles (Universal Studios)
Amgen, the title sponsor of the Tour, is the world's leading biotechnology company, and a leader in inflammation research. Amgen has brought important therapies like Enbrel and Kineret to arthritis patients.www.arthritis.org
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