Virginia’s Blue Ridge Gran Fondo, which will begin and end at the Greenfield Education and Training Center, 57 South Center Drive, Daleville, will be held on Sunday, Oct.13.
It will partner with the Foundation for Sarcoidosis Research, which seeks to raise awareness of sarcoidosis and find treatments and a cure for this terrible disease, which can attack virtually any organ in the body. There is no known cause or cure for sarcoidosis.
“We are pleased to add a fundraising aspect to Virginia’s Blue Ridge Gran Fondo,” said Lisa Moyer, race director. “If we can assist in raising money and awareness for the Foundation for Sarcoidosis
Research, we are grateful to be making a difference. What better opportunity than to ride your bicycle in a beautiful area and raise money for a worthy cause.”
Virginia’s Blue Ridge Gran Fondo 2019, in its second year, will once again offer cyclists a choice of three distances. The Valley Ride is a 33-mile route, while the Bank of Botetourt River Ride covers 48 miles and the Mountain Ride, 81 miles. All the rides offer cyclists views of the beautiful river and mountains in historic Botetourt County.
Sarcoidosis is an auto immune disease characterized by the formation of granulomas, clumps of inflammatory cells in one or more organs in the body. When the immune system overreacts, it forms too many of these clumps, often resulting in permanent scarring and damage to the impacted organ.
“It’s important to get the word out about this little-known disease. So many people are suffering from its effects, but because it is not well known, it is difficult to raise funds for badly needed research,” said Ginger Spitzer, executive director of the Foundation for Sarcoidosis Research based in Chicago.
Cyclists are encouraged to fundraise as a part of their ride or donate to the cause using this link: https://www.pledgereg.com/3221/johncarlin.
To register or for more details about the Gran Fondo, go to this website: http://www.muddysquirrel.com/gran-fondo.html.
For more information, contact Lisa Moyer, Race Director, Virginia’s Blue Ridge Gran Fondo, muddysquirrelinfo@gmail.com.
