More than 150 bicycling enthusiasts will participate in the ALS Central Coast Century, a charity ride held to raise funds to fight ALS, more commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease. The cycling event, which is sponsored by the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians, Sunset Honda, Art’s Cyclery and Rabobank, is expected to raise more than $30,000 to support the Muscular Dystrophy Association’s (MDA) ALS Division, a branch of MDA specifically aimed at funding cure-driven research and providing services to those in the community living with ALS. “We’re riding to help MDA fund worldwide research and to provide unparalleled health care services to people with ALS,” said Genevieve McGreevy, MDA Mid-State Chapter Fundraising Coordinator. “Together, our ride participants will face long miles and steep hills, exerting their bodies to their fullest potential, to show their support for, and honor those in their lives who have been, or are, affected by this devastating muscle wasting disease.” The ride, which is open to riders of all skill levels, features three route options: a 100 mile traditional century, a 100k metric century, and a 25k fun ride.

Central Coast Century participants and teams can register for the event by visiting www.centralcoastcentury.org. Registration is currently $55 for the century routes and $35 for the fun ride. All routes depart and conclude in Avila Beach. Riders will be supported by a SAG team and will receive a Santa Maria Style BBQ lunch.

Due to the charity nature of the ride, individuals are encouraged to raise at least $100 in donations, and those who reach that goal will receive a Central Coast Century T-Shirt. Additional incentives include a custom ride jersey, and cycling shorts. Many riders and teams will reach out to friends, co-workers, Facebook friends etc. to raise thousands of dollars (human-interest stories abound; contact MDA for “hometown hero” candidates).

About MDA’s ALS Division
MDA’s ALS Division is the world leader among voluntary agencies in fighting ALS, offering the most comprehensive range of services, including a national network of 35 clinics, staffed with leading experts in the field. Individuals registered with MDA can receive help annually with the cost of repairs and/or modifications to all types of durable medical equipment they require due to ALS including wheelchairs, leg braces, communication devices and more. Additionally, MDA provides monthly support groups and also conducts home visits for our families with ALS.

MDA is the world’s leader in funding cure based research initiatives, and has dedicated more than $290 million to ALS research and services. In 2007 MDA partnered with the ALS Therapy Development Institute to launch the largest privately funded ALS drug development project in history. Results of that project include the identification of a compound that extends survival three times longer than riluzole in mice with a disease that mimics ALS. The compound has entered the drug development stage in human testing.