October 2, 2009
Professional freeskiing
athletes are on a mission the whole month of October along the Pacific
Coast. The “Cycle for a Cause” charity bike ride from Seattle,
Washington to San Diego, California has been established to raise money
and awareness for fallen and injured individuals in the freeskiing
community. The 1200-mile ride has been organized to raise money for the
Billy Poole Ski Foundation, which benefits the Local Boys and Girls
Clubs of Salt Lake City, the Shane McConkey Fund in lieu of the Make a
Wish Foundation, and the NTAF Spinal Cord Injury Fund in honor of Riley
Poor.
Utah freeskiing local,
Billy Poole, was killed in a skiing accident here in Utah two years ago
while filming with Warren Miller Entertainment. Industry icon, Shane
McConkey died this past winter in a Ski BASE Jumping accident while
filming in Italy with Colorado’s Matchstick Productions. Ski industry
cinematographer, Riley Poor, sustained a paralyzing spinal cord injury
last season while in Vermont at the Dew Tour, a freeskiing and
snowboarding event.
With the spinal cord
injury of industry cinematographer Riley Poor and the deaths of
industry icons Shane McConkey, and Utah local, Billy Poole, fellow
professional freeskier/BASE Jumper, organizer, and Utahan, Max Kuszaj,
felt that something needed to be done.
“Losing two friends to
skiing and then having a friend have a life-changing injury, really
made me take a step back and realize what we do and what a tight-nit
community we have with skiing.” “I organized this ride to do anything I
can do to help those guys and benefit their families, try to make a
change, and make the general public realize what goes on and what
happens in the industry.” says organizer, Max Kuszaj.
The ride is open to all
and has attracted the participation of many other ski industry
athletes, like Utah locals, Pep Fujas, Julian Carr, Cody Barnhill,
Jesse Hall, and Suzanne Graham. Other athletes include: Sherry McConkey
(Shane’s wife), Peter Olenick, Simon Dumont, Jackie Paaso, Chris Ernst,
JT Holmes, and many others.
A website has been established which includes how to donate, information, daily blogs, photos, videos and more about the ride.
www.CycleforaCause.com
People and companies
are encouraged to donate per mile, to the cause, or using their own
discretion. All money accumulated will be distributed evenly to the
three organizations.
Contact: Max Kuszaj
Cell: 801-244-7780
Email: PacificCoastCycleforaCause@Gmail.com
SkierinBlack@Gmail.com
Website: www.CycleforaCause.com
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