November 19, 2010 (Calgary, AB) – November 4th marked the arrival date of Team Ride for Red 2010 as they crossed the finish line in Santa Monica along with their celebrity friends (Bridgette Marquardt, David Joyner, Misty Tyson and Marc Paul Gossaler).

On September 26, 2010 the team of four (Shannon Lynn, Christina Smith, Brock Kretizburg, and Billy Schuffenhaur) left Calgary, AB for their first leg over the Rocky Mountains (one of the hardest parts of the ride). Welcomed by Red Cross staff and officials along their route, the team rode 10 days to reach their destination of Vancouver.

In Vancouver, Smith and Lynn (both Calgary residents) said goodbye to their American friends Brock and Billy and the two of them ventured on to complete the final 30 days of the tour. “I don’t think people really understand what we did, or how difficult it was physically and psychologically. A lot of people doubted us, most didn’t think we would make it, so the feeling was amazing when we crossed the finish line in Los Angeles,” says Lynn.

Before taking part in this journey of a life time the team had never rode a bike more than 30km, now with 4,000 km under their belt, their longest day reaches 160km (100 miles,), which Lynn and Smith did twice on the ride. The team rode an average of 100km a day. “The hardest part of the ride was definitely the Rocky Mountains, we did one stretch that was 40 miles uphill. There is a lot that you go through psychologically when you are only an hour in and you don’t think you can make it the rest of the day because your body hurts so much and your legs are burning. Some days we pulled into camp at 10pm, ate, slept, and then were up at 6am the next morning to do it all over again, and again… and again,” says Lynn.

Through all of Lynn and Smith’s philanthropic ventures (Lynn: Ecuador in 2009, and over 350 volunteer hours with various organizations, Smith a regular volunteer and numerous Calgary events), they both put the Red Cross as one that they are most passionate about. So passionate, that they invested over 4 months of their time into raising awareness for the organization. “We hope that people step up to support the Red Cross and realize that every donation counts, $5 or $500, every little bit makes a difference,” said Lynn.

Christina and Shannon will be arriving back in Calgary this weekend just in time to see the Stamps play the Riders in the western final (good timing!) They both plan to take a little bit of time to recover, but anyone who knows the two, knows that they will be back on their quest of positively influencing the world before we know it.

The team was supported by a great staff of four on the tour: Valerie Lim, Jenn Imbrogno , Laura Lukcas, Randie Anderson, Michelle and Isabel. The Ride was supported by various local and national businesses: The Main Dish, Safeway, SierraSil, Fusion Communications, Specialized Alberta, Bow Cycle, Refresh (Electrolyte drink) & Defend, Vega, Rics Grill, Westin Calgary, Canada Olympic Park, Utopic Water, Jolly Design Inc., Specialized USA, Specialized Canada, Bountiful Bicycle, Rage Cycling, RefreshedIT, Jungle Jim Hunter Show, Gerry Forbes CJAY92, Calgary Stampeders & Henry Burris, Hi Chic Hair, Ronda the Hairstylist, Wal-Mart, Mark’s RV, Action Wipes, High Deaf Productions, Travis Johnson, Michael Orthner, all Red Cross offices Canada & US, Backpocket Productions – Gear, 911Phorography.org, Justin Hines Songwriter, 604 Camera Rentals – Vancouver, Frame and Focus – Calgary, Chelsea Schmidtke Photography, Craig Janzen – Graphic Designer, SaFoto, Impact Magazine, Pedal Magazine, Push Start International, and Avanti Corporation.

Special thanks to the family and friends of Smith and Lynn for their support, donations, patience and belief, as this was not an easy journey for all involved. Special thanks to the celebrities involved who rode with the team for a day: Brian Bassett, Bridgette Marquardt, David Joyner, Misty Tyson, and Marc Paul Gossaler. Extra special thanks to Andres, Steven and Tracie at the Calgary Red Cross office and John and Marcia at the Santa Monica Red Cross office for their dedicated involvement from day one.

The Ride for Red 2011 is currently in the planning stages, and information regarding the event will be announced in weeks to come. Videos and photos can be seen on the team’s facebook page – www.facebook.com/therideforred and on twitter @therideforred

Donations to support the team and then Red Cross can be submitted online at www.therideforred.com.