Cycle the WAVE (Women Against Violence Everywhere) will hit the pavement again this year as hundreds take part in the all-women’s bike ride benefiting the Eastside Domestic Violence Program. The non-competitive bike ride invites women of all ages to join in raising funds and awareness to help victims of abuse.
Last year’s event attracted 233 cyclists and raised more than $23,000 for EDVP. This year, Ride Director Sharon Anderson along with the members of the Rising Star Guild and the Lakemont Ladies Cycling Club are aiming high, hoping to rally 600 participants to ride for the cause.
“Our goal last year was to produce an event for women that would be fun and safe,” said Anderson, founder and co-captain of Lakemont Ladies Cycling Club and past president of the Rising Star Guild. “This year we want to raise the bar and not only do it well, but raise the awareness and the level of participants while having a blast.”
Last year, women from more than 30 cities came out to ride for the event.
The 2009 Cycle the WAVE bicycle ride will take place on September 20, traveling the streets of Bellevue, Issaquah, Renton, Maple Valley and Newcastle. Participants have three route options this year including the 25-mile Girly Girl route, the 40-mile Middle Sister route, or the 62-mile Burley Girl route. One hundred percent of the proceeds benefit the EDVP.
To officially kick off this year’s fundraising efforts and training times, Cycle the WAVE volunteers and EDVP have partnered with Maggiano’s Little Italy to host an evening of food, wine and information to get participants excited about the ride. The kick-off party will take place on Thursday, May 7 and will be emceed by John Curly of Evening Magazine.
Lynda Moore has been named the Honorary Spokesperson for the 2009 cycle the WAVE bike ride and will share her story with others at the kick-off party. As a past-victim of domestic violence, Moore has taken the steps of taking her life back and has since graduated college and secured a steady job. She is in the midst of undergoing a series of pro-bono facial plastic surgeries to correct the scars left from the abuse she endured at the hand of an ex-boyfriend.
Moore was accepted as a client of FACE to FACE, a non-profit organization staffed by medical personnel who donate their time and expertise to help patients overcome the physical limitations placed on them by circumstances beyond their control, including; deformities at birth, domestic violence, war, natural disasters and acts of terrorism.
Moore will be joined at the kick-off party by Dr. Philip Young, founder of Aesthetic Facial Plastic Surgery office in Bellevue, who has partnered with FACE to FACE and donated his time and expertise to Moore.
Pre-registration is required for the free event.
The Cycle the WAVE ride was created by a group of women in the community who wanted to reach out to others and give back. The Rising Star Guild partnered with the Lakemont Ladies Cycling Club to produce the ride and support the EDVP which has served more than 96,000 such victims by raising community awareness, education and money.
“As founder and co-captain of the Lakemont Ladies Cycling Club I merged my two passions, the love of cycling and raising funds and awareness for EDVP through Rising Star Guild,” Anderson explained. “That is how the two groups came together for Cycle the WAVE!”
The cost is $45 online or $50 for mail-in entry. For those who are unable to attend the day of the ride, visit the www.cyclethewave.com to donate as a Virtual Rider.
Proceeds from the ride will benefit EDVP (www.edvp.org) to help pay for shelter, counseling and other support for domestic violence victims.
Lindsay Larin can be reached at 425.453.4602.
