Buellton Sees 250 Arthritis Foundation Cyclists On Their Way Through California
Jarrod Zinn
BUELLTON, Calif. (KEYT) – 250 cyclists are pedaling down the Central Coast this week riding hundreds of miles to raise money and awareness for arthritis.
All that fundraising goes directly to the Arthritis Foundation.
September is Pain Awareness Month, and the national Arthritis Foundation is marking the 25th anniversary of the “CCC.”
The “California Coast Classic” bike tour began in San Francisco last Saturday with stops in Santa Cruz, Monterey, Big Sur, Cambria, and Oceano.
“My connection to arthritis came because I had done the ride for several years,” says Tim Clepper, co-chair of the leadership committee for the CCC. “I met the people that are out here. They’re wonderful people. It’s a great cause. The arthritis Foundation is is a wonderful organization to be part of and associated with. And after a few years of doing the ride, I got dedicated to the Arthritis Foundation.”
Thursday, riders traveled from oceano to the flying flags RV Resort and Campground in Buellton.
Friday, they head to Ventura, and the week-long tour wraps up Saturday in Los Angeles.
Over eight days, cyclists will cover a total of 525 miles.
“One of the challenges of getting new riders is to do the fundraising for this event,” says Clepper. “Plus, it’s a 525-mile ride. Don’t be afraid of either of those two challenges. People want to give you money for the Arthritis Foundation. And there’s lots of support for the training. If you’ve got an interest in doing this, just sign up and we’ll get you through it.”
Representatives say every rider raises funds through the foundation, often in honor of themselves or someone they know living with arthritis.
“I actually have arthritis and my grandmother had arthritis,” says Stephanie Cole, a rider from North Carolina. “My friend from Charlotte works for the Arthritis Foundation and we came out in 2023 to celebrate our 50th birthdays. And then we met some great folks out here on the ride and we really enjoyed it and we decided to come back for the 25th anniversary this year.”
Foundation leaders say about 60 million U.S. adults live with arthritis pain—about one in four Americans.The bike tour honors their daily resilience and determination.
Donations remain open until the ride ends.
To learn how to give, visit their website here.
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