"Ride for a Reason" to benefit fitness program for cancer survivors

Enjoy a family-oriented bike ride around Lake Natoma in Folsom on Saturday, August 19, and help support three worthy programs: the Triumph Fitness Program for Cancer Survivors at UC Davis Cancer Center, the Lance Armstrong Foundation supporting cancer research and survivorship programs, and the Davis Phinney Foundation supporting Parkinson's Disease research.

Check-in begins at 7:30 a.m. at Bicycles Plus, 705 Gold Lake Dr., Folsom, with staggered start times between 8 and 9 a.m. Participants can ride as many times as they wish around the five-mile American River bike trail circling Lake Natoma before the ride ends at noon with a catered lunch by Outback Steakhouse in historic Folsom.

Ride registration is $40 for adults and $20 for children 14 and under through July 31. After July 31, fees rise to $45 for adults and $24 for children. Registration includes ride support, a gift bag, T-shirt, lunch and raffle ticket. The raffle includes over $25,000 in cycling gear. Children must ride with a registered adult. All riders must wear ANSI-approved helmets.

For details or to register online, visit www.LifesShortEnjoytheRide.com. Online registration closes at midnight on August 17. Registration forms are also available at area bike shops. Online registration is available on www.active.com.

The Triumph Fitness Program for Cancer Survivors is a fitness program for adult cancer survivors offered by UC Davis Cancer Center with support from the Lance Armstrong Foundation and 650 FIT, a Sacramento fitness center. Through personal, small-group instruction, participants build muscle mass and strength, increase flexibility and endurance, and improve their capacity to perform activities of daily living, from work to play. Additional goals include reducing the severity of cancer therapy side effects, preventing unwanted weight changes, and improving energy levels and self-esteem.