Bicyclists to Ride 518 Miles Across New York State to Raise Money for Cancer Research

Participants from three states and Europe will ride from New York City to Niagara Falls as part of new Empire State Ride

BUFFALO, N.Y. — The Empire State Ride, a fully-supported, seven-day, 518-mile biking adventure across New York state, will launch this August with participants from Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, France and New York. The route, which will follow NY Route 5, averages 74 miles per day and takes riders through some of the most scenic parts of New York state.

After arriving in NYC on Saturday evening, riders will depart from New York City’s Battery Park on Sunday, Aug. 16. Overnight stops include the Hudson Valley, Albany, Utica, Syracuse and Rochester and the ride will conclude in Niagara Falls State Park on Saturday, Aug. 22 in front of one of the natural wonders of the world. This first-time event benefits Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center in Buffalo, N.Y.

“I chose to become involved because I know people who died and are dying from cancer.  I also hope to discover the beautiful New York state scenery,” said Empire State Ride participant Emma Flornoy of Somerville, Mass., who became aware of this biking event through a friend and fellow rider who also resides in Somerville.

This one-of-a-kind adventure offers participants a unique and awe-inspiring experience as they ride through the big city, the countryside and everything in between.  As a fundraising event for Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, it is also an opportunity for riders to support the fight against cancer.

“I was looking to participate in a long distance ride that benefitted a cause I believed in,” said Empire State Ride participant Randall T. Schirra Jr., of Pittsburgh, Penn.  “Cancer is something every one of us deals with. A friend of mine's grandfather was treated at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center before passing away and I know it is a cutting edge research institute.”

Participants in the fully-supported Empire State Ride are required to meet a minimum fundraising commitment of $3,500 per rider for the week long ride by Aug. 1, 2015. An additional component on the final leg of the ride, a one-day, 75-mile route from Rochester to Niagara Falls on Saturday, Aug. 22 is also available. This part of the route will follow along the Erie Canal and continue west toward the final destination in Niagara Falls State Park.  The fundraising commitment for this one-day route is $750 per rider. 

There will be a limited number of riders for this first-time event, but new participants are still welcomed to register.  There is a $100 registration fee for either route which is applied towards the fundraising minimum.  More information, including how to register, how to support an existing participant’s fundraising efforts, and accommodations provided throughout the entire ride, is available online at www.empirestateride.com.

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The mission of Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center is to understand, prevent and cure cancer. Founded in 1898, Roswell Park is one of the first cancer centers in the country to be named a National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center and remains the only facility with this designation in Upstate New York. The Institute is a member of the prestigious National Comprehensive Cancer Network, an alliance of the nation’s leading cancer centers; maintains affiliate sites; and is a partner in national and international collaborative programs. For more information, visit www.roswellpark.org, call 1-800-ROSWELL (1-800-767-9355) or email AskRoswell@Roswellpark.org. Follow Roswell Park on Facebook and Twitter.

Media Contact

John Moscato, Director, Development Marketing and Communications
716-845-1038; john.moscato@roswellpark.org