Three Breakaway from Cancer charity bike rides scheduled

Amgen is sponsoring three Breakaway from Cancer bicycle rides, beginning in November, for the runup to the 2nd annual Tour of California.

The first ride is scheduled in just a few days on Nov. 12 in Bethesda, Maryland. Other charity bike rides are scheduled on Dec. 3 in San Francisco and Feb. 11 in Thousand Oaks, California.

The rides aren't gut busters. They're family affairs of about 25 miles. Discovery pro cycling team member George Hincapie is scheduled to attend and ride at each one, and the top fundraiser wins a Giant bicycle.

A $75 registration fee includes the cost of a jersey ($25 w/o jersey). Participants are encouraged to raise additional funds through sponsors. The proceeds will benefit the National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship and The Wellness Community to support free programs and services that help people living with cancer. 

More information about the Breakaway from Cancer charity bike rides is here.

By the way, the week-long Amgen Tour of California begins in about 3 1/2 months. The dates next year are Feb. 18-25. Host cities (start or finish) on this year's route include San Francisco, Sausalito, Santa Rosa, Sacramento, Stockton, San Jose, Seaside, San Luis Obispo, Solvang, Santa Barbara, Santa Clarita and Long Beach.