Tour de Pier: riding for love, joy and a cure
by Brianna Smith
photos by Steve Gaffney
The 12th annual Tour de Pier took place Sunday, May 19 as a fundraiser for cancer research. Over 300 stationary bikes were located on the Strand in front of the Manhattan Beach Pier, and thousands of participants came to ride them.
The event combines intensive workouts that cycling classes provide and the crucial community and funds for cancer research and survivors. This year it raised $1.45 million, just short of its goal of $1.5 million, for The Hirshberg Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer Research, The Uncle Kory Foundation, and Cancer Support Community South Bay.
The event started at 8:30 a.m. as the first round of participants began cycling. The riding was split into five 50-minute sessions and was led by instructors, “heroes” who shared their stories, and celebrity guests like actor Jaren Lewison and LA Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh.
The Tour de Pier was inspired by a fundraiser event that included cycling studios across the country. Jon Hirshberg and Heath Gregory started organizing the first event, which took place in May 2013 and raised over $300,000. Within 3 days of the event, the City of Manhattan Beach approved it for the following year.
The money raised came from the bikes. Each bike required participants to donate a minimum of $750. This could be done individually or as a group.
Several bikes are purposefully placed together and form a group or family. Several of these families have formed over several years at the Tour de Pier, like Team One Love. Other groups were funded by larger businesses, like AT&T and the Bay Club.
I had the opportunity to cycle at the event. My mom’s employer, Continental Development Corporation, donated money for a bike. She asked if I would like to cycle with her and several other employees who volunteered and I accepted.
As I arrived, excitement and positive energy filled the air despite the cloudy weather. Walking down closer to the pier, I noticed an area full of booths. I later learned it was the Health and Fitness Expo where people could sample healthy foods, drinks, and initiatives.
I started stretching and warming up for my cycle at 10:30 a.m. Volunteers handed me and every new rider a towel and water bottle. Before every session began they showcased a story about the heroes who would be riding alongside the main instructors. These were people whose lives were personally impacted by cancer and who have participated in past Tour de Piers.
The cycling was underway. Everyone around me began pedaling to the beat of the music and following the instructor’s lead. Next to my bike, my mom was cheering me on, similarly to others around us.
Originally, I planned to treat it like any other cycle class; focus on myself and push my boundaries. This became more difficult as I continued cycling – not because of the exciting environment, but because I realized that I was cycling for something larger than myself. The community I saw and heard around me made me understand the importance of the Tour de Pier, both its fundraising efforts and annual festivities.
You’ll see me there next year. ER