Connecticut Coast Cycling Makes Donation to the Connecticut Challenge

June 30, 2008

Connecticut Coast Cycling (C3), a Fairfield County–based bike racing club presented a $1,500 check recently to the Connecticut Challenge, a charitable organization that provides services and resources for cancer survivors. The donation represents the proceeds from the 2nd Annual Connecticut Coast Criterium race, which C3 recently hosted in Bethel. “We are pleased to be a part of the growing Connecticut Challenge family,” said C3 vice president, Steve Bayliss. “The Connecticut Challenge is doing so much for the sport of cycling and cancer survivors. Many of our members will ride in or volunteer for the Connecticut Challenge charity bike ride on July 26th. And we are honored to be able to support the Connecticut Challenge with the proceeds from our own cycling event,” Bayliss said. “We would also like to thank local racers Rick Spear and Michael McGinley for donating their respective prize winnings to the Connecticut Challenge. And importantly, we need to thank the town of Bethel for its continued support for amateur bicycle racing in Connecticut. Without their support, none of this would have been possible.”

The presentation of the donation to the Connecticut Challenge took place at Cycle Center on High Ridge Road in Stamford, a C3 sponsor. “We could not be happier with our relationship with Connecticut Coast Cycling,” said Bob Mazzone, executive director of the Connecticut Challenge. “Support like this is proof that our message about the unique needs of cancer survivors is gaining momentum, both within the cycling community and among the general public.”

The Connecticut Coast Criterium took place on Sunday, June 1st. More than 240 amateur and professional cyclists from around New England raced laps around the one-mile loop. Over the course of the day, there were 8 different races of various times and distances based on the USA Cycling categories (see www.usacycling.org for more details). A listing of the top 5 racers by category is attached at the bottom of this press release.

About the Connecticut Challenge

The Connecticut Challenge is a nonprofit organization that provides programs and resources to support cancer survivors. Started in 2005, the Connecticut Challenge now funds two dedicated survivorship clinics – one for adults and one for children - at Yale Cancer Center, and is sponsoring research studies into survivorship issues. The Connecticut Challenge raises money to support its programs through the annual Connecticut Challenge charity bike ride. The 2008 ride will take place on Saturday, July 26th, starting and finishing in Fairfield, CT. Riders of all ages and skill levels can register for a 12-, 25-, 50- or 100-mile ride and raise funds from personal sponsors to support their efforts. To learn more about the Connecticut Challenge, register to ride, volunteer, or make a contribution, please visit www.ctchallenge.org.

About Connecticut Coast Cycling

Connecticut Coast Cycling is a USA Cycling–recognized bicycle racing club based in Fairfield County dedicated to promoting and developing competitive bicycle racing in Connecticut and New England. Since its founding in 2006, the club has grown to more than 40 members competing and winning at all levels of the sport from Juniors to Masters to Professionals. For our 2008 season, Connecticut Coast Cycling is proudly sponsored by: Guinness Draught, BMW of Greenwich, Colangelo Marketing, Coastal Orthopaedics of Norwalk, and Cycle Center of Stamford. This year marks the second year that the team has selected the Connecticut Challenge as its charity partner. To learn more about Connecticut Coast Cycling, please visit our Web site at www.connecticutcoastcycling.org