Bobby Labonte Foundation Announces Second Annual Archdale Drug “Share the Road” Memorial Bike Ride

The Bobby Labonte Foundation announced today plans to host the second annual Archdale Drug “Share the Road” Memorial Bike Ride. The event, planned for Sunday, May 20, with registration opening at 11 a.m. and the ride beginning at 1 p.m., will start and finish at Wheatmore High School in Trinity, N.C. The Memorial ride will benefit the Bikes Belong Foundation and also Randolph County Schools and its Backpack Pals program through the CISRC.

New this year, the event will consist of three different routes with various 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 will have rides for both the recreational cyclist and experienced cyclists. Labonte, an avid cyclist, will ride in the 100-kilometer (63.5 mile) course. Cyclists can register now at www.bobbylabontefoundation.org/events. 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 a cost of $35. The first 300 registered cyclists will receive a goody bag.

Once again the event will profit the Bikes Belong Foundation to raise awareness and funds for cycling safety and children’s bicycle programs. The Memorial ride was born after two cyclists were killed while riding in the Charlotte and Greensboro, N.C., regions in 2010 and 2011. The “Share the Road title is meant to remind motorists of cyclists on the road.


“We’ve seen tragedy here in the Charlotte region and the Triad area, but as a cycling community, we know this happens everywhere,” said Bobby Labonte, founder of the Foundation with his wife, Donna. “By partnering with a national organization like Bikes Belong, we’re not only going continue to bring awareness here, but also help those across the country.”


The Labonte Foundation, as its mission, is also giving back to children in need in their local community. The ride will help support Randolph County Schools and the Backpack Pals program that 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.


“We were thrilled when the Bobby Labonte Foundation approached us about partnering for this ride,” said Beverly Fowler, Executive Assistant to the Superintendent and Board of Education, Randolph County Schools. “There are so many kids who have a need on the weekends with our Backpack Pals program. To have the Foundation and cycling community support these kids will put a lot of smiles on their faces.”


In only its second year, the Share the Road Memorial Ride continues to have tremendous support from local and national sponsors whose support will benefit the two causes. Locally, Archdale Drug has continued its title sponsorship of the event with owner Ryan Hoskins stepping up their involvement. On a national level,Cequent Consumer Products and its SportWing™ bike rack will continue its involvement by being the official bike rack of the ride. The top male and female riders of the 100kilometer event will be given a SportWing™. Cequent Consumer Products is also currently hosting an online promotion open to anyone where one fan will win a SportWing™ bike rack. Additional sponsors include CLIF bar and more to be announced soon.


“The SportWing™ bike rack holds ANY bike securely by the wheels and is the ultimate solution for transporting your bikes,” said Shannon Ketvertes, Communications Manager, Cequent Consumer Products. “We remain committed to safety for all of our bike racks, cargo securing and hitch products.  Being a sponsor of Bobby provides us a great way to showcase other products that his supporters might not know we make.”

The Labonte family is grateful for the support from the community and all sponsors of this event.


“We’re very thankful to have both the communities support and Bobby’s sponsors and partners get involved,” said Donna Labonte. “This ride was something we felt like was important to do to help educate more people about bike safety and also give back to our schools and children in need. Without the support from our sponsors, we couldn’t make such an impact. They are really important in making this event grow.”


For further information and to register for the Share the Road Memorial Ride please visit www.bobbylabontefoundation.org/events. The SportWing™ bike rack is sold by Cequent Consumer Products under the brands Highland® and Reese® Carry Power. For more information about how to enter to win the SportWing™ bike rack, please visit the Bobby Labonte Foundation website or go to www.CequentConsumerProducts.com.

 

JTG