June 24-28, 2009
From the Adirondacks to the Finger Lakes
 

Pedal for Medals is an annual four-day bicycle ride of nearly 300 miles to raise funds for New York Special Olympics. Riders gather in Saranac Lake on a Wednesday in June, and finish on Sunday in Skaneateles, after four days of riding.

PHOTO GALLERY: Give in to nostalgia or see what all the excitement is about

To all the participants in the 2008 Pedal for Medals, a great THANK YOU!

The 2009 annual "Pedal for Medals" Special Olympics bicycle ride will take place on June 24-28. Reserve your spot on this four-day 300-mile cycling adventure by registering now. What a great way to start the 2009 cycling season!

Riders and their bicycles are transported to beautiful Saranac Lake in the Adirondacks from the Skaneateles Community Center in picturesque Skaneateles, NY, on June 24. Each rider will have the unique experience of bicycling from the beautiful Adirondacks to the enchanting Finger Lakes region. You will ride through some of the most beautiful country anywhere on a leisurely cycling vacation. If you like cycling, you'll love this ride.

Intimidated by 300 miles? Don't let it scare you. It's not a race. Each rider can proceed at a comfortable pace with ample time to rest and enjoy the sights. The terrain is varied, but there is no point along the ride that requires pro skills. And, if your body lets you down along the way, our SAG will pick you up and transport you to the next stop.

Support for this ride includes a full time EMT, massage therapist, cycle repair expert, and SAG. Three hearty meals each day and water/snack stops at approximately 20-mile intervals will keep the riders fueled. We'll stay in hotels (double occupancy) throughout the ride -- no tents or hard ground to sleep on! Enjoy all the amenities of a five-star cycling vacation as well as great post ride camaraderie each day. Build great memories and find new cycling friends.

The best part of it all is that the money raised goes to Special Olympics, an organization that is recognized for its diverse programs of skill development, training, and competition for children and adults with mental retardation and other intellectual disabilities. You can help by doing what you like most -- riding your bike.

Each rider needs to raise a minimum of $900 to participate. For those who raise more than the minimum, there are special awards and incentives. Why not register today? Get together with your best bike-buddy and sign up to share a room and a great experience. REGISTER NOW

If you need more info, contact: Event Director Melissa Wiggins, 585.586.7400 ext.105 or mwiggins@nyso.org

Special Olympics New York provides a program of skill development, training, and competition for children and adults with mental retardation and other intellectual disabilities. As they prepare for and compete for medals at regional, state, national, or international games, these special athletes gain self-esteem and social skills that help them in educational, vocational, residential and community settings. Special Olympics' Healthy Athletes program provides the athletes health services ranging from hearing and vision screening to tobacco use prevention.

Special Olympics New York delivers all of these services year round at no cost to the athletes or their families. Funds raised through Pedal for Medals will help us to offset these costs and expand our programs and services throughout the Central Region of New York State. Please join us on this ride and in this very worthy cause.