On Saturday, Independence Day, Lance Armstrong will begin his ride toward his eighth Tour de France title in Monaco, France.
That same day, almost 200 other riders will start their ride toward helping cancer survivors and researchers.
The Freedom From Cancer Ride, a Lance Armstrong Foundation Livestrong event, will begin at 7:30 a.m. in Independence at the Little Blue Trace Trail off Little Blue Parkway and Jackson Drive. It is the first Lance Armstrong event to be held in the state of Missouri.
“Cancer will touch our lives or the lives of those we know at some point,” event coordinator Matt Maher said in a press release. “Most of us know someone who has, or has had some form of cancer. This ride was created in an effort to help combat this deadly disease.”
The Lance Armstrong Foundation (LAF) has helped raise over $29 million for cancer survivorship programs and research since 1997. All proceeds from the Freedom From Cancer Ride will go to the LAF.
The ride has four options available, including a 10-20 mile ride for families or inexperienced riders, and 35-, 50- and 75-mile rides for the more experienced cyclists. The event will be fully stocked with water, food, and support to help participants on their ride.
Three of the largest MS150 teams – Untied We Ride/State Street Subaru, Bike Stop and Lockton – will participate in the event. The teams have raised millions of dollars to battle Multiple Sclerosis and have taken aim at the Freedom From Cancer Ride as their first cancer event.
Event coordinator and United We Ride/State Street Subaru team member Chris Pace is excited to be able to bolster his team’s helping hand.
“We’re going to continue to raise funds for MS and do much more than we have in the past,” he said, “but it will be nice to do something for cancer and expand our efforts a little.”
United We Ride/State Street Subaru is the largest MS150 team in the area, raising more than $1.25 million for MS.
“There are a lot of the teammates’ families that have been impacted by cancer recently,” Pace said.
Pace’s team, along with Bike Stop and Lockton, race annually in the MS150 ride, a 150-mile ride to help fundraise for the MS Society.
“We always race together,” Pace said. “We try to stay in shape and train for the MS150. We always compete with each other and try to raise more money.”
Pace said the event blew up after the Lance Armstrong name was added.
“Once they approved us, and they had to go through a lot of work to get to us, everybody got real excited about it,” Pace said. “It became a whole new deal. It totally changed the texture of it.”
The Tour de France just happened to coincide with the ride.
“We didn’t plan this event around the Tour de France,” Pace said. “We just kind of came to the realization, ‘That’s opening day.’ So there’s that connection, as well.”
After the race, riders can join the post-ride party at Buffalo Wild Wings, which is located next to the starting location.
“BWW’s is throwing in free chicken wings to all riders,” Pace said. “The Tour de France will be going on once people start coming back, so they’ll be able to watch.”
Country Music Television star Rob Richardson, host of “Trick My Truck” show, will also be there in one of his signature trucks, “Iron Man,” making stops at Lexington, Buckner and Wellington, as well as the Buffalo Wild Wings in Independence after the race, to sign autographs.
“He’s very passionate about helping out cancer societies and events,” Pace said.
One of the guests on the show, Chris Anderson, a cancer survivor of Texas, will deliver the opening speech for the event.
“Chris lost everything while going through chemotherapy, including his truck,” Pace said. “He’ll be at the event with his truck, Survivor, which helps his special needs. He’ll deliver a message to the riders about how he’s thankful to be alive.”
The cost is $25, and registration is available online or at the event.
FREEDOM FROM CANCER RIDE AT A GLANCE:
WHAT: Freedom From Cancer Ride
WHEN & WHERE: 7:30 a.m. Saturday, Little Blue Trace Trail (near Little Blue Parkway and Jackson Drive), Independence.
WHAT IT'S FOR: The event will benefit cancer victims and cancer research through the Livestrong Lance Armstrong Foundation.
COST: $25 per participant, which includes post-ride party at Buffalo Wild Wings in Independence. Rob Richardson, host of Country Music Television’s “Trick My Truck” show will sign autographs and bring his “Iron Man” truck to show off.
COURSE OPTIONS: Cyclists have four options: a 10-20-mile ride for families or inexperienced riders, or 35-, 50- and 75-mile courses for experienced cyclists.
TEAM UNITY: Three of the largest MS150 teams – Untied We Ride/State Street Subaru, Bike Stop and Lockton – will participate.
