rideATAXIA Dallas Cycling Event Coming Up Nov. 6

Marisa Wexler, MS avatar

by Marisa Wexler, MS |

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This year’s rideATAXIA Dallas, a cycling event that raises money to support research into treatments for Friedreich’s ataxia, will take place Nov. 6.

The event will feature in-person rides at UNT Discovery Park in Denton, Texas. Four route options are available: three, six, 27, and 50 miles. Registration will kick off at 7:30 a.m., with rides throughout the morning (longer rides begin earlier), then there will be a celebration and lunch catered by Outback Steakhouse.

The registration fee for regular cyclists is $55. Reduced fees are available for individuals who raise more than $250, and for children younger than 18. Individuals who want to attend, but don’t wish to ride, may join in by registering as a spectator for $20. Attendance is free for children 2 and younger.

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For those who want to go to the in-person ride and are coming from out of town, a hotel block has been reserved at the SpringHill Suites Marriott. The cost is about $100 per room depending on bed configurations. Riders who need to rent a bike can do so by contacting Jamie Dartez at Bike Mart, [email protected].

This year’s event also is offering a virtual attendance option. It’s free to participate, or virtual participants may pay $10 to get an event T-shirt and a packet of campaign materials.

Last year, rideATAXIA Dallas was cancelled because of the COVID-19 pandemic; instead, the organizers launched a global virtual event.

This year, the in-person ride will be taking place “in accordance with the CDC [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention] Guidelines that are applicable at the time of the event,” according to the ride’s webpage.

The page notes that “COVID-19 is a constantly evolving situation.” Each individual should decide whether to attend large in-person events like this based on their own comfort level, and should talk to their healthcare provider to help make decisions.

Funds raised through the ride will go to support the Friedreich’s Ataxia Research Alliance (FARA), an organization dedicated to advancing research to treat and cure Friedreich’s ataxia.

RideATAXIA Dallas is one of several such rides to support FARA; the first of this year took place in early October in Philadelphia.