Mike Ride to provide bikes for kids

[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/bikelockersdn.jpg” caption=”Thanks to the Mike’s Bikes program, kids across the city will be provided with bikes and cycling equipment. The program is in memory of a late McMaster PhD candidate Mike Chamberlain.”]Children across the city will experience the joy of cycling thanks to a fundraising and
awareness program in memory of a late McMaster student.

The second annual “Mike Ride”, in memory of McMaster PhD candidate Mike
Chamberlain who died in 2010, will take place Sunday at Hamilton's Bayfront Park.

The ride is in support of “Mike's Bikes”, which strives to realize Chamberlain's dream of
providing elementary students in Hamilton with bikes.

An avid cyclist, Chamberlain had biked all over the world, including a trip through
China, Cambodia and Laos just before his passing. He was particularly interested in
making Hamilton a more cyclist-friendly city.

“He felt that was the best way to see any country,” said his sister Kristen, a McMaster
nursing student. “He was really passionate about cycling, which is why we decided to do
the ride.”

The Mike Ride began as a way for family and friends to gather and remember
Chamberlain. With the establishment of a fund in his name at the Hamilton Community
Foundation, his family hopes the event will spread his love of cycling to youth who
might not otherwise be exposed to it.

“We're working with the school boards to get kids on bikes,” said Kristen. “There are so
many benefits, from health to student success, that come from being active as a kid.”

Cyclists participating in the Mike Ride can bike one of three routes – 5, 20 and 45
kilometres – which begin and end at Bayfront Park. The cost per rider is $10 for those
16 years of age and under, and $50 for those 17 and older. Rides start at 9:30 a.m.,
10:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.

Funds raised from the ride will go toward providing youth with bikes, helmets, locks and
safety training.

More information is available at bikeformike.org.

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[img_inline align="right" src="http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/bikelockersdn.jpg" caption="Thanks to the Mike's Bikes program, kids across the city will be provided with bikes and cycling equipment. The program is in memory of a late McMaster PhD candidate Mike Chamberlain."]Children across the city will experience the joy of cycling thanks to a fundraising and <br />
awareness program in memory of a late McMaster student. <br />
<br />
<br />
The second annual "Mike Ride", in memory of McMaster PhD candidate Mike <br />
Chamberlain who died in 2010, will take place Sunday at Hamilton&#039;s Bayfront Park. <br />
<br />
<br />
The ride is in support of "Mike&#039;s Bikes", which strives to realize Chamberlain&#039;s dream of <br />
providing elementary students in Hamilton with bikes. <br />
<br />
<br />
An avid cyclist, Chamberlain had biked all over the world, including a trip through <br />
China, Cambodia and Laos just before his passing. He was particularly interested in <br />
making Hamilton a more cyclist-friendly city. <br />
<br />
<br />
"He felt that was the best way to see any country," said his sister Kristen, a McMaster <br />
nursing student. "He was really passionate about cycling, which is why we decided to do <br />
the ride."<br />
<br />
<br />
The Mike Ride began as a way for family and friends to gather and remember <br />
Chamberlain. With the establishment of a fund in his name at the Hamilton Community <br />
Foundation, his family hopes the event will spread his love of cycling to youth who <br />
might not otherwise be exposed to it. <br />
<br />
<br />
"We&#039;re working with the school boards to get kids on bikes," said Kristen. "There are so <br />
many benefits, from health to student success, that come from being active as a kid."<br />
<br />
<br />
Cyclists participating in the Mike Ride can bike one of three routes - 5, 20 and 45 <br />
kilometres - which begin and end at Bayfront Park. The cost per rider is $10 for those <br />
16 years of age and under, and $50 for those 17 and older. Rides start at 9:30 a.m., <br />
10:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. <br />
<br />
<br />
Funds raised from the ride will go toward providing youth with bikes, helmets, locks and <br />
safety training.  <br />
<br />
<br />
More information is available at <a href="http://bikeformike.org">bikeformike.org</a>.<br />

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