M o r e t h a n a g r e at r i d e
ing is the veh l c y icle. C Canc er is the Cause.
SUNDAY, May 29
Gateway Park in Travelers Rest, SC | Mass Start: 7:30 am | Register at www.p3ride.org Everyone has been touched by cancer, this great day of cycling gives you the opportunity to honor those you know who have been impacted by cancer and make a difference. You can turn great fun into helping advance local cancer care. This ride is between the USA Professional Cycling Time trial and Road Race. Participation is available for all levels, bring the family.
Proceeds from the Challenge will benefit local cancer research, advocacy & outreach – Greenville Hospital System’s Institute for Translational Oncology Research (www.ITOR-ghs.org) and Amgen’s Breakaway from Cancer program partners (www.breakawayfromcancer.com)
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Because We Can Cyclists Go the Extra Mile to Benefit Cancer Research, Advocacy
He didn’t own a bike until eight short weeks ago, but Mark Sturgis is already gearing up for the USA Cycling Professional Championships on Memorial Day Weekend. While the biggest names in American cycling compete for the Pro Time Trial and Road Race national titles, Sturgis will be among amateur riders from across the United States embarking on a challenge of their own. The Stars and Stripes Challenge Presented by Amgen, an annual charity ride held in conjunction with the pro races, takes place Sunday, May 29, giving recreational riders of all abilities the opportunity to raise money for cancer research and advocacy.
Hosted by the Palmetto Peloton Project, Stars and Stripes offers a route for everyone—distances include 10, 30, 62, even 100+ miles—with proceeds benefiting the Greenville Hospital System Cancer Center’s Institute for Translational Oncology Research and the Amgen Break Away From Cancer partnership. “Sturg”—as the sports talk radio host is known to fans on WCCP 104.9FM—has taken on the Stars and Stripes Challenge to honor his wife Teresa, a breast cancer survivor, and to benefit anyone else who may one day have to go through what she did. “Battling cancer is the biggest physical challenge my wife has ever endured,” Sturg says. “This cycling event is going to be my
biggest physical challenge. So it’s kind of symbolic—I figure if she can complete chemo, then I can complete 62 miles. … I can’t wait to see her face when I cross the finish line.” The new-and-enthused cyclist has been steadily increasing mileage to prepare for the Stars and Stripes metric century. And while the distance is daunting, he says it’s nothing compared to the long road of cancer treatment and recovery. With statistics predicting 1.4 million Americans will be diagnosed with cancer this year—and 560,000 will die from it—Sturg is powered by the belief he’s pedaling for a purpose. “(The Stars and Stripes Challenge) gives me motivation that I’m doing
something bigger than me,” he says.
Going the Distance The Stars and Stripes Challenge anticipates a few true stars in the peloton, with six-time Tour de France veteran Kevin Livingston among those riding in the charity cycling event. “It’s an honor,” says the retired pro cyclist, who assisted Lance Armstrong in his comeback from cancer and also served as Armstrong’s mountain lieutenant in his amazing 1999 and 2000 Tour de France
Riding – and Fundraising – in a Pack Three or more cyclists can join forces to fundraise as a team either honoring a cancer patient or representing local businesses, non-profits and cycling groups. Teams participating in the Stars and Stripes Challenge Presented by Amgen include:
Amgen Carolina Riders
BiLo Women’s Cycling
Pedal Chic
Answer the Challenge
Community Journals (Greenville, Spartanburg)
Rotary of Greenville
Fluor Cycling Team General Electric Greenville Hospital System GHS Every Woman Cycling Team
ScanSource Team Calder Team CCC ESO Team Harper Team State Farm TIC Properties Management-Ascent
Greenville Spinners Racing Team
WCCP-Team Sturgis
ITOR Up Cancer
Windstream
Meals on Wheels
Worthwhile
S ta r s a n d S t r i p e s C h a l l e n g e
Cyclists Against Cancer
All Proceeds Benefit Cancer Research and Advocacy Amateur Cycling Event Featuring Routes for All Riders Distances of 10, 25, 62 & 100+ Miles Sunday, May 29, 7:30AM-5PM Start/Finish at Gateway Park in Travelers Rest www.p3ride.org
victories. “The roads of Greenville are magnificent and the cause is incredibly important. I look forward to joining the ranks of the Palmetto Peloton Project.” Whether you’re a renowned pro rider, a weekend warrior or even just a wannabe, Gateway Park in Travelers Rest is THE place to be on Sunday, May 29. All of the Stars and Stripes routes begin here—from the family-friendly 10-miler along the Swamp Rabbit Trail to the rolling 62-miler in northern Greenville County to the scenic century (translation: 106.6 miles) featuring 7,500 feet of climbing. “Our new format offers more options—a short, flat ride for beginners, all the way to a full century for more experienced riders, and other distances in between,” says Kevin Dunn, president and co-founder of the Palmetto Peloton Project. “Cancer affects everyone in some way, so this ride is designed to give everyone a chance to support the cause.” The longer distances traverse local celebrity George Hincapie’s favorite training roads. All routes showcase the Upstate’s natural beauty; indeed, even the rest stops are scenic destinations. Rest Stop #2 for the metric and century, for example, is at Campbell’s Covered Bridge. This hidden jewel, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is the only remaining covered bridge in South Carolina. It’s open only to foot traffic—and, during Stars and Stripes, bike traffic. cyclists can anticipate more than simply water and snacks. Festivities at the finish line include a bustling Expo featuring cycling-related vendors, health and fitnessoriented booths, and other local businesses. Cyclists
Money Matters The Palmetto Peloton Project—or P3, as the nonprofit is affectionately known amongst local cyclists—promotes the advancement of cancer research and advocacy through cycling events. Stars & Stripes Presented by Amgen is one of P3’s signature rides. The volunteer-led group, which has raised more than a million dollars since 2005, distributes proceeds according to a “before, during and after” philosophy that gives equal emphasis to research and clinical trials, advocacy and information, and oncology rehabilitation. Beneficiaries include the Greenville Hospital System Cancer Center and Institute for Translational Oncology Research (ITOR), Amgen’s Breakaway from Cancer as well as the Lance Armstrong Foundation. Stars and Stripes Challenge riders are asked to pay a $50 registration fee, then complete a minimum of $125 in fundraising, for a total of $175—or more. Cyclists can participate as individuals or join one of twenty or so teams formed by local businesses, non-profits, cycling groups and more. Some of these teams—such as the 100 Women Strong ITOR Up Cancer—are open to any interested participant. There are plenty of incentives to inspire cyclists to work just as hard at fundraising as they do training for the ride itself. For example, $500 earns a coveted Stars and Stripes jersey along with the opportunity to ride the Pro Road Race course on Monday morning; $2,500 or more means the chance to ride the 6.2-mile Individual Time Trial course shortly before the pros do on Saturday. The cyclist who generates the most donations overall receives a one-of-a-kind Fundraising Hero jersey. And whoever recruits the most new participants to this year’s event wins the Red-Hot Recruiter jersey. “I’d like to challenge other cyclists—whether
experienced or new to the game, like me—to participate in Stars and Stripes,” says Sturg. “If you can’t ride, then go to the website (www.p3ride.org) and either sponsor someone you know or just make a general donation. This is an awesome way to raise some much-needed money for cancer research. And the money raised here stays right here in the Upstate.”
Riding for a Reason Home is where the heart is, and that’s why Jerry Janninck thinks the cure should be here, too. Janninck’s buddy Scott Shuey was training for P3’s Challenge to Conquer Cancer—a benefit relay ride from Greenville to Austin, Texas—when he was struck with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. “I watched an incredible triathlete—someone who could out-run, out-ride and out-swim me any day of the week—get diagnosed, battle cancer, beat it and then lose the battle, all in one year,” recalls Janninck, the sales manager at John Finger Mazda. “The emotional roller coaster that creates for any family is truly too hard to put in words.” What’s worse, he says, is that Scott had to travel to Houston, Texas, for treatment, thus missing out on the comforting presence of family and friends at home. Watching this difficult situation transformed Janninck from a runner to a cyclist—a dedicated P3 cyclist with a personal fundraising mission to make innovative [Continued on back]
Cycling is the Vehicle … Cancer is the Cause
taking the challenge to celebrate a family member, friend and/or co-worker can write their honoree’s name on a huge Memorial Banner displayed at the start/finish line. “We believe the physical challenges of riding a bike correlates with the physical challenges of chemotherapy,” Dunn says. “There’s a big mountain there—real or symbolic—and maybe you’re thinking, ‘Oh, I can’t do that. It’s too hard,” but then you find out that you can.”
Cycling is the vehicle. Cancer is the Cause.
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Pedaling for Perks
Join six time Tour de France veteran Kevin Livingston
Riders in the Challenge pay a $50 registration fee, then raise an additional minimum of $125 for a total of at least $175. Incentives include the following:
“It’s an honor to return to Greenville and participate in the Stars and Stripes Challenge presented by Amgen,” states Kevin Livingston. “The roads of Greenville are magnificent, and the cause is incredibly important. I look forward to being in Greenville over Memorial Day weekend and joining the ranks of the Palmetto Peloton Project.” Livingston, 37, raced professionally for eight years and retired in 2002. He is noted for assisting seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong in his comeback from cancer, serving as Armstrong’s mountain lieutenant in his 1999 and 2000 Tour wins.
Total Raised Incentives
$500
Challenge Jersey Ride the Professional Race Course Monday morning prior to the Road Race Championship (plus previous incentives)
$1,000
Join the VIP Hospitality area with 2 tickets for both the Time Trial & Road Race Championships (plus previous incentives)
$2,500
Ride the 6.2-mile Time Trial course before the professionals on May 28* (plus previous incentives)
$5,000
Rub elbows with the professional riders with 2 invitations to a private reception with pro athletes (May 28). Then buckle up for the time of your life when you sit in for one VIP caravan ride during the Road Race Championships (May 30). (plus previous incentives)
Fundraising isn’t difficult, especially if you utilize Facebook, Twitter and other social media along with the cycling event’s handy donation toolkit. Stars and Stripes veterans suggest the following formula to reach the minimum donation level.
oncology treatments more readily available right here in Greenville. “Stars and Stripes generates donations to help establish more cancer research at GHS,” he says, explaining he wears his P3 jersey to most group rides in order to encourage dialogue about the organization’s efforts to bring home a cure. When Scott’s widow learned Janninck hoped to honor his friend’s legacy by becoming a P3 cyclist, she immediately offered up her late husband’s bike—a Scott CR1 designed in Livestrong black and white.
“I rode Scott’s bike last year (in the Stars & Stripes Challenge) to Austin, and I still ride it every day,” he says. “Scott was truly a MUCH better rider then I will ever be, but I hope to ride his bike, in his honor, at every cancer fundraising ride I can.” And thus Janninck never rides alone— not even when he cycles by himself. “I will tell you this: Scott’s spirit is with me every time I ride his bike. He pushes me to ride harder and longer; when I feel like stopping, he’s sitting on my shoulder saying ‘Keep pushing!’”
THE ROUTES – INFO & RATINGS 30 mile route
Challenge T-shirt & water bottle
10 mile route
$175
Scale of 1 (being easiest) to 5 (being hardest)
62 mile route
Simply ask: 1 family member for $50 2 neighbors each for $25 2 friends each for $25 1 co-worker for $25 The top overall fundraiser receives a Fundraising Hero jersey to wear on ride day; whoever recruits the most new participants to this year’s charity ride wins the Red-Hot Recruiter jersey. *Those who reach the $2,500 level but do not wish to ride the time trial course have the option of receiving a Stars and Stripes duffel bag instead.
CENTURY route
10 mile – As close to a 1 as you can get in Northern Greenville county. It is rolling hills, down the trail, through the Furman campus and back up the Swamp Rabbit Trail to Furman. Flatlanders will probably think of this as a 2 due to the rolling lay of the land. Everyone rides the 10 mile route in addition to the “legs”. 11.3 miles – http://ridewithgps.com/routes/309779 30 mile – Leg 1 only – 28 mi. – http://ridewithgps.com/routes/309765 62 mile – Leg 1 & 2 – 64.2 mi. – http://ridewithgps.com/routes/309747 Century – Legs 1, 2, & 3 –106.6 mi. – http://ridewithgps.com/routes/309775 LEG 1 - RATING: 2
LEG 2 - RATING: 3
LEG 3 - RATING: 4