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Boise, ID - On Sunday, August 15, 2004, nearly 300
cycling enthusiasts will descend on Blue Cross of Idaho in
Meridian for the 2004 Blue Cruise Wheels for Wellness charity
bike ride. This is the second year the event has been presented
by the Blue Cross of Idaho Foundation for Health and this
year’s ride is more exciting than ever!
The
ride is taking place on the same day and at the same time
that Boisean Kristin Armstrong is riding for the Gold in
the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens. Race organizers plan
to feature “live” TV coverage of Armstrong’s
Olympic ride at the event and also will make “update”
announcements throughout the day to keep local riders informed
of her progress.
As Armstrong
competes on the streets of Athens in the 73.7 mile Women’s
road race, many of her friends and even a few former teammates
will be riding in the Blue Cruise. One of those riders is
Mary Ann Ozier. She met Kristin through local bike races
here in the Treasure Valley and both rode for a year on
the Goldy’s racing team. Ozier often rides with Armstrong
when she’s in Boise to keep her company on her long
4-5 hour training rides. Even though Ozier currently rides
on the George’s team, she may change jerseys on Sunday
in honor of her good friend, competing half way around the
world, in the Olympics. “I just might wear my T-Mobile
jersey that day in honor of Kristin.”
Another
group of riders who will be keeping close tabs on Armstrong’s
Olympic race are members of the Boise Young Rider Development
Squad or BYRDS. This Treasure Valley bicycling team is made
up of riders ages 10-18 years old. Many in the group have
already won Idaho State and regional cycling championships
and a few even have Olympic aspirations of their own. The
intent of the BYRDS program is to provide interested youth
an understanding and training on the equipment, rules and
safety, and benefits of cycling as a lifelong sport. Group
members participate in weekly training rides and racing
events throughout spring and summer under the coaching leadership
of licensed USA Cycling Coach, Douglas Tobin. Currently,
five members of the BYRDS team will be riding in the 2004
Blue Cruise event.
The
Blue Cruise Wheels for Wellness charity bike ride is a fun
and recreational event. The start and finish will be at
Blue Cross of Idaho’s headquarters, 3000 E. Pine Avenue
in Meridian. The campus is located on Eagle Road near Fairview
Avenue. Riders will choose from four different routes each
with staggered starting times.
START
TIMES are as follows:
7:00am 100-mile route
8:30am 50-mile route
9:30am 30-mile route
10:30am 15-mile route
As riders
finish, they will be welcomed to a fun after-ride picnic/barbecue
complete with live blues music. During lunch, organizers
plan to show a taped portion of Armstrong’s Olympic
ride on a large video screen. “Anyone who loves cycling
will absolutely love this event,” said Gary Dyer, executive
vice president at Blue Cross of Idaho. “We have selected
four great routes and after the ride we will all get together
and watch and cheer as Kristin Armstrong races in the Olympics.
For local riders, me included, it just doesn’t get
any better than this,” said Dyer, who plans to ride
the 100-mile course.
Blue
Cruise is presented by the Blue Cross of Idaho Foundation
for Health (BCIFH), supporting programs that positively
impact the health of all Idahoans. For additional information
or to view maps for each course, visit www.bcidahofoundation.org.
Proceeds from the 2004 Blue Cruise will benefit the YMCA’s
Y Kids in Motion and Humphreys Diabetes Education Center’s
Sweet Kids Day Camp. BCIFH is an independent licensee of
the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.
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For
more information contact: Tod McKay (208) 331-7465
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