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Charity cyclers hit the road in T.O.
340 turn out at Amgen to pedal for cancer benefit
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Photo by James Glover II
Riders cross under a balloon arch at the start of a Breakaway from Cancer race at Amgen's Thousand Oaks campus. Sunday's race was sponsored by the Amgen Cycling Club and drew about 340 riders.
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Photo by James Glover II
Fledgling cyclist Valerie Keller laughs with friends before the race. Keller had originally considered doing a 25-mile route, but said, "We're shooting for 10 miles today, then somebody's going to have to come and pick me up."
Brothers-in-law Mohammed Vahid and Sal Paramo were up at 4 a.m. loading their bikes and preparing to make the long trip from South El Monte to Newbury Park.
This was their third year making the trip, and after the long drive, they readied themselves for a 50-mile ride through the city and hills.
"We're weekend riders," Paramo, 42, said. "This ride marks the beginning of the (riding) season."
The ride was a charity race sponsored by the Amgen Cycling Club for the company's Breakaway from Cancer initiative, which benefits the National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship and The Wellness Community, which offers support programs and education for those with cancer. It came a week before the biotech firm's signature Tour of California.
"Amgen is a very good company," Vahid, 57, said. "They do a lot of positive things."
Cycling notables attend
Sunday's ride attracted 340 cyclists, including individuals and teams from around the region, and featured celebrity rider Bob Roll, a commentator on the Versus cable television network and former professional cyclist.
Roll credited seven-time Tour de France winner and cancer survivor Lance Armstrong with the "incredible growth" of the sport during the past few years. He also credited Amgen for its work benefiting those with cancer.
"I feel it's important for me to come out and support the event," Roll said, adding that the sport "attracts such a wide-ranging swath of people."
Decades cycling
One of the people who turned out Sunday was 76-year-old Michael Gold of Ventura, who took up cycling 20 years ago after he quit smoking. Wearing his jersey for the Channel Islands Bicycle Club, Gold was prepared to take on the 50-mile ride. Riders also had an option of a 25-mile ride.
"For myself, personally, it's a form of exercise, a way to meet other people and the camaraderie," Gold said about the allure of the sport.
Valerie Keller, 29, of Thousand Oaks, received a bike, helmet and cycling shoes for Christmas from friends. Keller said her roommate was an avid cyclist and while Keller hadn't yet worn her own cycling shoes outside the house, she was willing to give it a try.
"She's a good influence," Keller said of her roommate. "I figured what the hell? I'm inventing my own 10-mile ride. ... It's a good cause."
The fundraising began with a talk on Friday night featuring Roll, along with Jens Voigt and Stuart O'Grady, two members of the CSC Cycling Team, which won the 2007 Tour of California.
Matt Skelton of Amgen's Cycling Club said the beneficiaries of the ride are "two great advocacy groups that do great things for cancer patients."
Posted by rgadams on February 11, 2008 at 8 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Oh fabulous. Just what we need...more bicyclists to swerve around while trying to drive our CARS on roads meant for CARS. Drives me nuts.
Posted by tsetsaf on February 11, 2008 at 9:19 a.m. (Suggest removal)
WOW! you swerve? Must not have very good control of your vehicle. Had your eyes checked recently?
For your info Amgen, the Cancer Ride, and the Amgen Tour of California have combined to turn our Conejo Valley into one of the Top 10 places to ride. We currently have the best cycling team in the world, Team CSC, training in Agoura Hills. They have been here for 2 weeks, staying at local hotels, eating at local restaurants, buying bicycle parts at local shops, renting cars, and spending money.
So if you need to swerve recognize that the cyclist you are swerving around represents one of the few economic highlights in Conejo Valley's future.
Finally, cyclists have the legal right to the road.
Posted by damary on February 11, 2008 at 10:02 a.m. (Suggest removal)
tsetsaf, I agree the bicycling is great for the area. Last year I helped my son's Boy Scout troop host the Crusin' The Conejo bike ride, and those cyclists were great. Every last one of them were completely friendly and were great guests to have in our area. I heard from many of them that appreciate the warm welcome they receive here.
Posted by clementine on February 11, 2008 at 10:31 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Amgen is doing great work and donating the money to combat cancer. It seems everyone has cancer or will get cancer (including myself). A great cause.
Posted by hercules360 on February 12, 2008 at 8:28 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Shame rgadams doesn't put his proper name out there so we can all see who he is, stating such stupid and hateful comments. Wonder how many cyclists he has hit or drives close to for no good reason. No doubt he is fat out of shape idiot that wouldn't know how to keep fit if he tried.
After living in this area for over 27 years and riding my bike around this area it has become so dangerous because of people like him. All I can say the sooner people like him die off the better for people who want to ride their bikes and stay fit in peace.
Posted by rgadams on February 13, 2008 at 9:31 a.m. (Suggest removal)
WOW! You people are harsh...once again, to someone holding a differing opinion from yours. Interesting.
Posted by rgadams on February 13, 2008 at 9:34 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Hercules:
I'm sure that this is your real name. And I enjoy keeping my body in shape by jogging in Woodranch. BUT: I do not impede cars from driving, or cause anyone to have anxiety from seeing a bicyclist riding "with traffic."
Posted by jniffer on February 16, 2008 at 5:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)
rgadams, not sure what you mean by being anxious when bicyclists ride "with traffic." They're actually supposed to -- as opposed to riding against traffic. I was involved in an accident once when a bicyclist hit my car -- I was at a stop sign, and he was riding on the wrong side of the road and hit me as I prepared to make my right turn. Although it wasn't my fault, I was the one in the big bad car, so it's not an easy thing to get over (he was fine).
That said, my husband and I have also been avid cyclists, although we prefer a tandem. Bicyclists are supposed to ride within bicycle lanes (where they exist), but there are times when they must ride in the same lane as cars -- such as when making left turns, proceeding straight when there is a right turn lane, or when there is no bicycle lane.
If everyone follows the rules, no one should need to be anxious or get hurt. We all need to share the road.
Congratulations to all who participated in the Breakaway for Cancer ride. It's a fabulous ride, and a wonderful precursor to the Amgen Tour of California.
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