LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (May 11, 2012) - Cyclists of all ages are invited to test their endurance in the fourth annual Cycle for Sight on Saturday, May 12 along the Arkansas River, sponsored by the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) Harvey & Bernice Jones Eye Institute.
The route for the recreational ride includes the paved 14.4-mile River Trail loop, starting and finishing on the North Little Rock riverfront, crossing the Arkansas River via the Big Dam Bridge to the west and the new transformed Rock Island railroad crossing at the Clinton Presidential Park to the east.
Pre-registration is $35 for riders. Cyclists can also register the day of the ride for $40 from 7 to 8:30 a.m. To pre-register, or for more information, contact Shannon Hughen-Giger at (501) 686-8638 or by e-mail at SHGiger@UAMS.edu. You can also register online at www.uamshealth.com/cycleforsight.
New for this year's Cycle for Sight is the Kids Bike Rodeo. Beginning at 10 a.m., the event is intended for kids of all ages and includes basic training on bike safety and an obstacle course to learn and practice control, signaling, weaving, maneuvering and speed control. There will also be bike and helmet inspections. The registration fee is $10 and includes lunch and prizes for each participant.
The ride gets under way at 8:30 a.m., and cyclists can make as many loops as they'd like until the event ends at 1:30 p.m. The start and end of the route is near the Arkansas Queen riverboat, which is located at 100 Riverfront Drive in North Little Rock. Police will be available to help riders through high-traffic areas, and several breaks and aid stations will be scattered along the trail.
Lunch, which is included in the registration fee, live entertainment and a raffle for prizes will be available beginning at 11:30 a.m. Lunch for non-riders is $5. Riders and supporters are encouraged to bring old pairs of eye glasses to be recycled for future outreach efforts.
Proceeds from the event will go toward eye research and outreach at the Jones Eye Institute.
(Source: UAMS press release)