Bicyclists in the Midwest, Southeast and Pacific Northwest are still rolling out on long-distance cancer charity bicycle fund-raising rides in October.
It's a reminder that in addition to transportation, recreation, and sport, bicycles also have become a major form of philanthropy.
The longest charity ride is Pablove Across America, a 1,425-mile trek from Milwaukee to New Orleans.
Led by Jeff Castelaz, the Milwaukee native hopes the team of 25 cyclists can raise $500,000 in this third year for the ride.
The owner of a local recording company, Castelaz launched the Pablove Foundation to raise funds and awareness for childhood cancer in memory of his 6-year-old son who died of cancer.
In 2009, he rode from St. Petersburg to Los Angeles. He was joined by 25 other cyclists on the fund-raising ride from Seattle to Los Angeles in 2010.
The cyclists will visit childhood cancer programs in Milwaukee, Chicago, St. Louis, Louisville, Nashville and New Orleans.
Leaving on Saturday, the cyclists expect to arrive in New Orleans on Oct. 28.
Relay challenge
On Sunday, 24 cyclists will leave from Miami and Greenville, South Carolina, in the Challenge to Conquer Cancer. The cyclists are riding relay-style across the Southeast and expecting to arrive in Austin on Oct. 17.
This is the fourth year for the riders who are making the 1,300-mile ride from Greenville. The cyclists are divided into teams that ride about 6-hour shifts, 24 hours a day.
The event is sponsored by the Palmetto Peloton Project, which seeks to raise funds and awareness for cancer research.
Slice of Hope
On Friday, a small group of cyclists organized by a pizza marketing firm will complete their 180-mile ride from Portland to Seattle to raise money for breast cancer research.
Proceeds from the ride will go to the Karen Mullen Breast Cancer Foundation. Also, on Friday, Tutta Bella locations in Seattle will donate 15% of sales to the Seattle-based breast cancer foundation.
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