Tour de Pier, raises spirits, funds for cancer support and research
Manhattan Beach Police Chief Derrick Abell, Manhattan Firefighter Captain Jim Muth and Los Angeles County Lifeguard John Lombardo join cyclists in the Tour de Pier on Sunday. Photo
The 6th annual Tour de Pier raised $1.2 million on Sunday for the Hirshberg Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer Research, the Cancer Support Community, and the Uncle Kory Foundation. Tour de Pier has raised over $4.2 million since their inaugural event in 2013.
Tour de Pier was founded by Jon Hirshberg in memory of his father Ron, who passed away from cancer in 1997. Hirshberg worked with Heath Gregory, a friend and cyclist, to found the event. In 2014, after only two years of operation, the Tour de Pier won the Outstanding Special Event award from the State of California Association of Parks and Recreation Commissioners.
Helping raise funds Sunday for Tour de Pier are Manhattan Firefighter Jeff Rice and Los Angeles County Lifeguards Tracey Geller, Tim Burdiak, Mel Solberg, Jeff Lombardo, and Kevin Barry. Photo
Individuals and teams reserved bikes for $750, which they then rode for five 50 minute sessions, beginning at 8:30 a.m. Each session was led by a fitness instructor from Fit On Studios. The sessions had themes, ranging from “Come Together” to “Don’t Stop Believin’.” The cyclists were motivated to continue pedaling by music and cheerleaders, including the Mira Costa High, UCLA and Lakers cheer squads. Additionally, including entertainer George Lopez and basketball star Steve Nash made appearances.
Besides the stationary cycling event, the Tour de Pier also hosted a Health and Fitness Expo with games, music, food, and entertainment. Children joined the fun in the Cardio Kids Zone, which contained tot-sized stationary bikes, games and moon bounces.
For more information about the Tour de Pier and the charities it benefits, visit tourdepier.com.