Tour d’Afrique Riders Go for Gold: Pedaling the Length of Africa Raises Donations for Humanitarian Concerns

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Free-Press-Release.com) February 25, 2010 -- By pedaling the length of Africa from Cairo to Cape Town with Tour d'Afrique, cyclists raise money for favorite humanitarian causes and charities. Over $1 million raised since July 2009.

TORONTO, Feb. 25, 2010 – By pedaling the length of Africa, cyclists raise money for humanitarian causes targeted by Tour d’Afrique (http://www.tourdafrique.com/) while traversing thousands of miles over upwards of four months.

As of July 2009, a total of $1 million has been raised by committed cyclists on past and present tours. Many are participating in the January 16-May 15, 2010 Tour d’Afrique race and expedition happening now that spans 7,500 miles from Cairo to Cape Town.

“We’re blessed with some incredible riders who have used their adventure cycling across Africa to raise money for a number of charities and NGOs,” said Henry Gold, founder of Toronto-based Tour d’Afrique, a small, socially responsible bike tour company with huge intentions. Gold, who has been staging international trans-continental cycling tours and races since 2003, now inspires cyclists from over 15 different countries to take on such life-changing challenges.

Following are snapshots of riders on their giving-back saddles.

From Lawrence, KS, Jason Becker, a former teacher and now freelance artist and designer, is pedaling for Project Rwanda (http://projectrwanda.org/) founded by bike builder Tom Ritchey. This project funds custom ‘coffee bikes’ for the coffee farmers and replaces older wooden bikes.

From Washington, DC, public sector consultant Dana Farrell targets melanoma research (a deeply personal cause having dealt with two melanomas in her life) through the Joanna M. Nicolay Melanoma Foundation. Follow her blog: http://7500milesformelanoma.wordpress.com.

From Alberta, Canada, Stephanie Sleen, a wilderness guide, focuses on the Suncatchers Project (www.suncatchersproject.org) a non-profit that builds solar ovens for remote rural communities in Africa.

Rick Wafsky who grew up in Alexandria, VA., but now lives and works in Calgary, believes like Lance Armstrong in the power of living every minute of life with every ounce of one’s being. His charity is the Lance Armstrong Foundation for Cancer. He asks for public support by logging onto: http://www.livestrong.org/grassroots2010/rickwasfy.

Under Gold’s leadership, since 2003 Tour d’Afrique Foundation and its partners have engaged in:
• donating bikes to health care professionals and organizations in Africa
• supporting bicycle advocacy and promoting projects that protect the environment
• encouraging participants in the tour to raise funds for their favored charity whether in their home country or in Africa or both

Other itinerary and fundraising opportunities this year are

2010 Silk Route Bicycle Tour http://www.tourdafrique.com/epictours/silkroute

Istanbul to Samarqand / 4140 km / May 22 to July 04 / €4,000 Fee

2010 Amber Route Bicycle Tour http://www.tourdafrique.com/dreamtours/show/5
St Petersburg to Venice / 3,100

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