Record Number of First-Time Riders Register for California Coast Classic Bike Tour, presented by Amgen

May 11, 2023

Arthritis Foundation organizers announce only 30 spaces remain for the 2023 edition of The Ride of a Lifetime as National Bike Month rolls along

LOS ANGELES – May 11, 2023/ENDURANCE SPORTSWIRE/ – Three years after the bike boom that reintroduced millions of Americans to their bicycles, organizers of the 2023 California Coast Classic Bike Tour, presented by Amgen, note that a record number of first-time riders have registered for the Arthritis Foundation’s annual national destination fundraiser, and predict that registration for the ride will sell out this year.

“While the CCC is a ‘bucket list’ ride that draws cyclists to California’s iconic Highway 1, most of our participants are returning riders who passionately support our mission,” said Shannon Marang Cox, National Senior Director of the California Coast Classic Bike Tour.

“In fact,” she continued, “Some riders have returned every single year for more than two decades. This year, the trend is similar, but I’m very pleased to see that our new rider contingent has increased to forty percent. We welcome new riders to the group, and we also welcome electric-assist bike riders. CCC is inclusive, epic, and life-changing.”

In celebration of National Bike Month, organizers are offering $25 off registration with the code BIKECCC23. Only 30 spaces remain for registration in 2023. Participation in the ride is capped at 250 riders due to the limitations on large groups riding through California’s picturesque Big Sur coastline between Monterey and Cambria.

For more than 20 years, cyclists have taken on the 8-day, 525-mile California Coast Classic to raise funds and awareness for the Arthritis Foundation. Cumulatively, they have contributed more than $22 million to Arthritis Foundation programs that increase quality of life with patient education and advocacy; improve access to health care; provide fee-free summer camps for children; and conduct research for better treatments and cures for the myriad forms of arthritis.

One in every four Americans is living with arthritis. It’s the number one cause of disability and a growing health crisis affecting more than 60 million adults and 300,000 children. The Arthritis Foundation, which commemorates its 75^th Anniversary this month, is leading the fight to conquer everyday battles through life-changing information and resources, access to optimal care, advancements in science, and community connections.

The 23rd edition of the California Coast Classic, presented by Amgen, is scheduled for September 30 to October 7, 2023, and is expected to raise more than $1 million for Arthritis Foundation’s programs, research, and member support. Last year, riders came from 25 U.S. states, Canada, and Great Britain and total fundraising topped $1.26 million.

More information about the bike tour, including its detailed itinerary, is available at the California Coast Classic website and in this short video. The self-paced pedaling adventure is open to cyclists of all levels and welcoming of e-bike riders. It is Gran Fondo Guide’s “Best Charity Bike Tour” and has been named one of “The 30 Best Road Biking Trips” by Outside Magazine.

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About the Arthritis Foundation

The Arthritis Foundation is fighting for all people who live with arthritis. As a Champion of Yes, the Arthritis Foundation’s mission is to turn the obstacles arthritis causes into opportunities. The Arthritis Foundation champions life-changing solutions and medical advancements, and provides ways for people to connect, break down barriers in health care and join the fight for a cure — uniting hearts, minds, and resources to change the future of arthritis. To join the fight to cure arthritis, visit  arthritis.org.

About the California Coast Classic Bike Tour

The Arthritis Foundation’s California Coast Classic Bicycle Tour Presented by Amgen, “The Ride of a Lifetime”, is the winner of Gran Fondo Guide’s Best Charity Bike Tour Award. It began in 2001 and is the flagship fundraising bike tour of the Arthritis Foundation, raising over $1 million dollars annually for resources and research to find better treatments and a cure for arthritis. Beginner and experienced cyclists are encouraged to join the 8-day, fully-supported, 525-mile journey down the coast of California from San Francisco to Los Angeles from September 30 – October 7, 2023 and registration information can be found here. Supporters who cannot come to the in-person tour are invited to join the Arthritis Challenge Experience, a choose-your-own adventure that connects participants to the vibrant CCC community. For more information, visit arthritis.org/californiacoastclassic.

Media Contact:

Julie Kelly, SPEC PR, 760.672.2527 (cell), julie.kelly@specpr.com