Pedal Into Something “Perfectly Portland” -
Providence Bridge Pedal Comes Rolling In On Sunday, Aug. 13

July 28, 2006

WHAT:
The 11th annual Providence Bridge Pedal, presented by The Oregonian - your one chance a year to ride across all 10 of Portland’s bridges, from the Sellwood to the St. Johns

WHEN:
Events beginning Aug. 11, 2006;
Providence Bridge Pedal: Aug. 13

DETAILS:
Providence Bridge Pedal is the second-largest community bicycle ride in the nation and third-largest in the world. More than 15,000 cyclists are expected to participate in the ride on Sunday, Aug. 13 - and they will pedal more than 500,000 miles on the streets and bridges of Portland. For those who prefer to walk, Providence Bridge Stride offers a five-mile alternative.

Providence Heart and Vascular Institute’s Women and Heart Disease Program is a main beneficiary of this year’s event.

NEW THIS YEAR:
- An “express” start time - 6:30 a.m. - for adult riders who like their Providence Bridge Pedal a little speedier (15 mph or faster). Express riders can choose a 10-bridge or an eight-bridge route.

- In cooperation with the Portland Office of Transportation’s Women on Bikes program, an 8:15 a.m. start time is reserved exclusively for women. A special presentation will be made at the start of the Women on Bikes event by Suzanne Hall, M.D., FACC, medical director of the Women and Heart Disease Program at Providence Heart and Vascular Institute. She will be joined by former Olympic cyclist Inga Thompson.

Again this year, participants in Providence Bridge Pedal and Providence Bridge Stride get free admission to The Bite of Oregon on Sunday until 2 p.m. by showing their event vests.

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THE EVENTS:
Friday - Saturday, Aug. 11 - 12: Providence Bridge Pedal Health and Wellness Expo (free)

DoubleTree Hotel - Lloyd Center. This is the place to go to register and pick up all your materials for Providence Bridge Pedal and Stride. There will also be activities for children, games, contests, and the latest in bikes and health information.
      Hours:
      Friday, Aug. 11, 11 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.
      Saturday, Aug. 12, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Sunday, Aug. 13: Providence Bridge Pedal and Providence Bridge Stride (registration required)

Portland’s big bicycling day - 15,000 cyclists heading over the Willamette River bridges in the second-largest community bike ride in the country. The 10-bridge ride (for ages 13 and up) is 38 miles long. Shorter options - a 24-mile, eight-bridge ride and a 14-mile, six-bridge route are also available. All routes cross the top decks of the Fremont and Marquam bridges.

The 10-bridge ride begins at SW Naito and Morrison. The eight- and six-bridge rides start at SW First and Jefferson. Start times begin at 6:30 a.m. and continue through 9:30 a.m.

For those who enjoy crossing the bridges on foot, the Providence Bridge Stride begins at 8 a.m. It covers five miles across the Steel and Fremont bridges. The Stride begins and ends at the Rose Quarter Commons.

FEES:
Providence Bridge Pedal
    $25 adults ($35 day of event)
    $10 children 12 and younger ($15 day of event)

Teams of five or more riders can save $5 per adult rider. Team registration information can be found at www.providence.org/bridgepedal

Providence Bridge Stride
    $15 adults ($20 day of event)
    $10 seniors ($15 day of event)
    Free for children 12 and younger

[ Special note for families: ]
To ensure that children and families riding in Providence Bridge Pedal have the safest and most fun ride possible, this year children age 12 and younger who are riding on their own bikes will only be participating in the eight- or six-bridge rides. Children in bike trailers or bike seats are welcome on the 10-bridge ride.

Registration forms for all events are available online at www.providence.org/bridgepedal. Forms are also available by calling the Providence Bridge Pedal Hotline at 503-281-9198. The mail-in deadline for registration is August 5.

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Providence Health System in Oregon, ranked as the fourth most integrated health care system in the nation, offers a comprehensive array of health and education services through its seven hospitals, medical clinics, health plans, long-term care facilities and home health services. With more than 14,000 employees, Providence is the state’s second-largest private employer. Visit www.providence.org/oregon.