The Arthritis Foundation is announcing the Carolina Hills Classic,
an all-new national destination cycling experience from Asheville,
North Carolina, to Greenville, South Carolina, scheduled June
12-15, 2025.
A one-of-a-kind, multi-day cycling fundraiser in
the Carolinas, the Carolina Hills Classic will be a fully-appointed
four-day bike tour featuring both a hub-and-spoke and
point-to-point format set against the iconic Blue Ridge
Mountains.
Southeast Cycling
DestinationStarting in Asheville, riders will enjoy the
winding roads, scenic climbs, local flavors, and artistic flair of
the Blue Ridge foothills. On Day 2, they’ll pedal approximately 80
miles over state lines to Greenville, home to a robust cycling
community, vibrant art and music scene, and Southern hospitality.
Days 3 and 4 will be spent exploring Greenville’s bike-friendly
roads and picturesque beauty.
The Carolina Hills Classic invites cyclists of
all experience levels and is e-bike friendly. Riders can challenge
themselves while charging through the hill country, or enjoy a
leisurely pace cruising with friends and enjoying the breathtaking
scenery.
“Asheville and Greenville are iconic cycling and
travel destinations known for their remarkable natural beauty,
stunning scenery, delicious food, eclectic art, and hospitable
culture. They are both such sought-after locations for cyclists
that we couldn’t pick just one – so we decided to build our new
Carolina Hills Classic tour around this region which is a mecca for
riders,” said Shannon Marang Cox, National Senior Director of the
Arthritis Foundation’s Cycling Experience.
“For more than 20 years, the Arthritis
Foundation has hosted the ‘The Ride of a Lifetime’ in California
with its epic route and experience, VIP support, and warm community
atmosphere,” Marang Cox said. “Now the Arthritis Foundation
introduces the all-new Carolina Hills Classic, with all of the
wonderful aspects of a fun and fully supported tour between
Asheville and Greenville.”
Fully-Appointed Tour The
Carolina Hills Classic is a premium cycling experience complete
with full mechanical and SAG/shuttle support, four-night hotel
accommodations, fully-stocked rest and fuel stops along each day’s
route, daily luggage valet and transportation, nightly
entertainment and social hours, and an unforgettable welcome
reception in Asheville and closing celebration in Greenville.
The Arthritis Foundation has perfected the
charity bike tour model over the past 25 years with the California
Coast Classic (CCC) Bike Tour, an event that annually raises over
$1 million dollars, has earned the moniker, “The Ride of a
Lifetime,” and received Gran Fondo Guide’s Best Charity Bike Tour
Award. The Carolina Hills Classic will be the Arthritis
Foundation’s second national destination cycling experience.
Supporting 60 Million
Adults and Children in the U.S.The Arthritis Foundation
has championed the fight to conquer arthritis, the nation’s number
one cause of disability, for more than 75 years. Since 1948, the
Arthritis Foundation has invested over half a billion dollars in
research, with more than $23 million coming directly from its
California Coast Classic Bike Tour. Typically, at least 40% of
California Coast Classic riders either have arthritis or are riding
for a loved one with the disease.
“This is an exciting time at the Arthritis
Foundation. As the iconic California Coast Classic Bike Tour
prepares to celebrate its 25th anniversary in 2025, the Arthritis
Foundation is proudly launching its second national destination
event, bringing the inspiring and unmatched experience of the CCC
to the Southeast,” said Arthritis Foundation President and Chief
Executive Officer Steven Taylor, who has participated in the
California Coast Classic since 2022. “So, whether your bucket list
includes the California Coast or the Blue Ridge Mountains, you can
ride with our amazing community while supporting the nearly 60
million adults and children in the U.S. who have doctor-diagnosed
arthritis or a related condition.”
Every donation to the Arthritis Foundation helps
the 1 in 4 adults and hundreds of thousands of children with
arthritis across the country live without limits. In its inaugural
year, the Carolina Hills Classic has a goal of raising $250,000 for
the fight to conquer arthritis, the No. 1 cause of disability in
the United States.
About the Arthritis
FoundationThe Arthritis Foundation is fighting for all
people who live with arthritis. As a Champion of Yes, the Arthritis
Foundation’s mission is to turn the obstacles arthritis causes into
opportunities. The Arthritis Foundation champions life-changing
solutions and medical advancements, and provides ways for people to
connect, break down barriers in health care and join the fight for
a cure — uniting hearts, minds, and resources to change the future
of arthritis. To join the fight to cure arthritis, visit
arthritis.org.
About the Carolina Hills Classic Bike
TourThe Arthritis Foundation’s Carolina Hills Classic is a
fully supported, four-day road biking adventure traversing the
foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains from Asheville, North
Carolina, to Greenville, South Carolina.
With a goal of raising $250,000 in its inaugural
year, funds support the fight to conquer arthritis, the No. 1 cause
of disability in the United States, while raising awareness and
support for the nearly 60 million adults and children in the U.S.
who have doctor-diagnosed arthritis or a related condition.
For more information, please visit CarolinaHillsClassic.org.
Media Contact:Julie Kelly, SPEC PR,
760.672.2527 (cell),
julie.kelly@specpr.com
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