200 Cyclists to Ride in Arthritis Foundation's Amgen California Coast Classic Bike Tour to Raise $1 Million

Cyclists from across the country will bike down the California coast to raise funds and help those affected by arthritis

SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 1 /PRNewswire/ -- Approximately 200 cyclists will kick off the Arthritis Foundation's Amgen California Coast Classic Bike Tour on Saturday, October 3 in San Francisco. Participants, who will cycle down the California coastline over eight days, aim to raise more than $1 million this year for the Arthritis Foundation. This is the ninth annual Amgen California Coast Classic organized by the Arthritis Foundation, and will finish in Santa Monica at the Yahoo! Center on Saturday, October 10, after covering 525 miles.

"Since 2001, this event has raised more than $7 million, which continues to help the Arthritis Foundation support its research, education and advocacy for people living with arthritis," said Mitchell Jacobs, chair of the Arthritis Foundation, Southern California Chapter, which organizes the Tour. "It has also been a great way for us to provide outreach to those suffering from arthritis and their families, as well as increase awareness of this disease."

The Amgen California Coast Classic Bike Tour is open to people of all ages and athletic ability. The goal of the event is to raise money to support arthritis research to find a cure, as well as to improve the quality of life for those who are affected by the more than 120 forms of arthritis. Arthritis is the most common cause of disability in the United States, afflicting nearly 46 million Americans, including more than 300,000 children. Arthritis-related diseases, such as lupus, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis and scleroderma, can be seriously debilitating and sometimes life-threatening.

Palo Alto rheumatologist and two-time Olympic cyclist Dr. Christine Thorburn will be joining the California Coast Classic for the first time this year. "Every day I see first-hand how debilitating arthritis can be, so being able to help my patients in this way is incredibly meaningful for me," said Dr. Thorburn, who practices at the Palo Alto Medical Foundation.

The 2009 Amgen California Coast Classic Bike Tour will pursue the following route:

• Saturday, October 3 - San Francisco to Santa Cruz
• Sunday, October 4 - Santa Cruz to Monterey
• Monday, October 5 - Monterey to Big Sur
• Tuesday, October 6 - Big Sur to San Simeon
• Wednesday, October 7 - San Simeon to Pismo Beach
• Thursday, October 8 - Pismo Beach to Buellton
• Friday, October 9 - Buellton to Ventura
• Saturday, October 10 - Ventura to Los Angeles (Santa Monica)
  

To learn more, please call (800) 954-CURE (2873) or visit www.californiacoastclassic.org.

Amgen, the title sponsor of the California Coast Classic, is the world's leading biotechnology company, and a leader in inflammation research. Amgen has brought important therapies like Enbrel and Kineret to rheumatoid arthritis patients.

About the Arthritis Foundation

Established in 1948, the Arthritis Foundation is the only national voluntary organization that works on behalf of people with all forms of arthritis. The Arthritis Foundation funds research to find cures and improve care, issues up-to-date information about arthritis and its treatment, offers exercise and self-help classes and sponsors support and education groups. For more information, please call (800) 954-CURE (2873) or visit www.arthritis.org.

    Media Contact:  Kirsten Clausen
                    GolinHarris (for the Arthritis Foundation)
                    213-438-8726
                    Cell: 562-500-1231

SOURCE The Arthritis Foundation