April 26, 2007 (Vancouver, BC) — Training is underway as 21 confirmed riders in the 2nd annual GearUp4CF event get into shape for the arduous ride from White Rock to Calgary, Alberta starting on June 23, 2007.

This year, cyclists will embark on an ambitious 1280km ride over ten days through some grueling terrain including the Rockies, Selkirk and Purcell mountain ranges. GearUp4CF is a fully supported ride with vans and meals and accommodations provided to the riders along the route.

Each rider is responsible for raising a minimum of five thousand dollars for the charity event that supports research into cystic fibrosis, a fatal inherited disease that affects one in every 3,600 children born in Canada each year.

One of last year’s participants in the ride, Dr. David Speert, is a CF researcher. Like the other cyclists, Dr. Speert is motivated to ride to raise awareness about the genetic disorder and to increase funding in order to find a cure. According to Dr. Speert, “money raised through this event will go directly toward research and therapy to improve the lives of children and adults with this disease — it is truly a great cause”. Other riders include parents of children with cystic fibrosis and people who have been affected by CF in their research or personal lives.

For more information on the route, the riders and how you can sponsor a cyclist, please visit our website at www.gearup4cf.org or contact Dr. David Speert at 604-875-2348.