USA Cycling and filmmaker Scott Coady have announced plans to raise $500,000 for collegiate cycling and the Davis Phinney Foundation by visiting 21 college campuses in 21 days across the entire United States, in what is being billed as The Collegiate Tour Baby!
Mimicking the format of the legendary Tour de France, each stop will be considered a 'stage' of the 'Tour'. And, just like in the Tour de France, collegiate teams across the country will vie for the opportunity to host a stage.
"Scott's enthusiasm and proven ability to raise money for causes he believes in are unparalleled," said USAC CEO Sean Petty. "The athletes competing in collegiate cycling today represent the future of the sport here in America and can use all the support they can get."
"The Collegiate Tour, Baby! is also a wonderful way in which the collegiate athletes and their communities around the country can work together to support one of the true heroes and legends of the sport, Davis Phinney and his battle with Parkinson's," he continued. "Let's face it, without Davis, American cycling would not be what it is today."
Each stage of the Tour will be a fundraising event which will include a screening of Coady's cult film, The Tour Baby!, chronicling his adventures following the entire 2000 Tour de France, silent and live auctions, raffle and party with surprise guests from the pro peloton. Each collegiate team hosting a stage will be encouraged to work with the local cycling and Parkinson's communities to ensure each stage of the Tour is a success.
"I have learned that when you work to support a worthy cause, and do it with others as a team, anything is possible," noted Coady. "I am very excited to begin working with the collegiate athletes around the country to do something extraordinary to support the future of cycling and the Davis Phinney Foundation."
The 21-day tour will cover 5,000 miles as it winds around the country.
