5th Annual Cycle For Change Brings Together Cyclists From Texas, New Mexico And Chihuahua In Support Of Survivors Of Domestic Violence
The event will take place Sunday, October 15, at Gallegos Park
El Paso County Attorney Jo Anne Bernal today announced that almost 80 cyclists have already registered for the 5th annual cycling tour “Cycle for Change: From Surviving to Thriving.” The event will take place on Sunday October 15, 2017, starting at 8:00 a.m. at Gallegos Park (7361 Bosque Rd., Canutillo, TX).
The event has two main objectives. The first one is to bring awareness about the problems survivors of domestic violence face once they decide to leave an abusive relationship. The second objective is to raise funds to provide scholarships for educational opportunities and therapeutic services for survivors of domestic violence.
In 2016 more than 300 cyclists from El Paso, Las Cruces and Ciudad Juarez participated in the event, raising more than $10,000 in scholarship funds that were distributed to survivors of domestic violence. Among this year’s recipients we had an immigrant from Vietnam and an Iraq war veteran.
“We have been working hard to grow attendance to this year’s Cycle for Change event because we want to help as many survivors of domestic violence as possible,” said El Paso County Attorney Jo Anne Bernal.
“Participating in the cycling event is not only a great way to support our victims, it is also a wonderful fun event for the whole family; we will have music, food and an special appearance by the El Paso Chihuahua’s mascot Chico,” Bernal concluded.
The 2017 Cycle for Change event is being hosted again this year in collaboration with El Paso Villa Maria. The shelter is a temporary home that provides homeless women, many of whom are survivors of domestic violence, all the tools they need to thrive in life, including board and lodging, health and substance abuse counseling, education and employment training, and legal and financial assistance.
Other sponsors of this year’s event include the El Paso District Attorney’s Office and more than 15 local businesses. El Paso Chihuahuas’ mascot Chico will make a special appearance from 8:00 to 9:00 a.m. to take pictures with the children.
This year participants in the event will be able to choose from 4 different courses:
· 50 Mile Route: Star time 8:00 a.m.
· 30 Mile Route: Start time: 8:30 a.m.
· 10 Mile Family Ride: Start time 8:45 a.m.
· 1 Mile Children’s Ride: Start time 8:55 a.m.
For the three longest courses, there will be rest stops with water and porta-potties, and SAG vehicles.
There will be free T-shirts to the first 300 registered participants. Cyclists will be automatically entered into a raffle for a chance to win several great prizes, including gift cards, restaurant certificates, and cycling gear.
The cost to register for the cycling event is $40 for adults until this Thursday, and goes up to $45 on Friday, October 6, 2017. The registration cost for active duty military is $25, and children under 13 years of age pay $10. Individuals who want to support the scholarship fund, but are unable to attend the event, can register as “Sleep-in for a Change,” and pay only $20.
Individuals interested in participating can register online at www.cycle4change.org, or take advantage of any of our two on-site registration events:
1. Thursday, October 12, 2017, from 4:00 - 7:00 p.m., at Up and Running Store, 3233 N. Mesa St., El Paso, Texas 79902.
2. Friday, October 13, 2017, from 5:00 - 8:00 p.m., at the Trek Bicycle Store, 1886 Joe Battle Blvd., #205, El Paso Texas 79936.
There will be on-site registration the day of the event at Gallegos Park starting at 7:00 a.m.
WHO: El Paso County Attorney’s Office/ Villa Maria Shelter
WHAT: 5th Annual cycling tour “Cycle for Change”
WHEN: Sunday, October 15, 2017 @ 8:00 a.m.
WHERE: Gallegos Park, 7361 Bosque Rd., Canutillo, TX
For footage from last year’s event, please follow this link: https://wetransfer.com/downloads/da5deadb84dd2c92c40906791d42965020171003142742/3e67956476f1369e6b53c9b1177480a320171003142742/78e966
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2017 Cycle for Change Press Release.pdf
Cycle for Change 2017 Flyer.pdf