LITTLE ROCK — Amber Carson wasn’t a cyclist - until after her niece Aven, now 5, was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis when she was about a month old - but Carson’s brother was.
In an attempt to raise awareness and funds for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Carson organized the 65 Roses Tour in Searcy. The first ride was in 2010, and the third tour is set for April 21.
“I had not ridden a bike since childhood,” Carson said. “I didn’t know the difference between a mountain bike and a street bike.”
But now, not only is Carson a cyclist, but her husband and children have also joined her.
For a child, cystic fibrosis is not only a big disease, but those are big words for a child to pronounce. So many children just call their disease 65 roses, which is a mispronunciation of the name, according to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. The foundation registered the 65 Roses trademark.
“It’s a tough reality, but they’ve come
so far with treatment,” Carson said about
medical treatment of the disease.
Carson said she approached Searcy’s
chapter of the Arkansas Bicycle Club to get
some input before the first tour. She said she
was hit with a lot of reasons why it wouldn’t
do well in Searcy, but she did receive some
encouragement.
“There were a handful of people there
who were optimistic,” she said. “The Ar
kansas Bicycle Club in Little Rock made it a
sanctioned event.” The first year, Carson said, the tour
had about 200 cyclists and raised more
than $6,000. The second year was cold and
stormy, so the number of cyclists didn’t
increase, but the tour raised $7,000. This
year’s goal is $10,000, Carson said.
“I think it’s a great event,” said DuaneHandley, an avid cyclist and former owner of Bike City in Searcy.
The bike shop was, and still is, the sponsor of the tour.
“Bike tours are gaining popularity in the state,” Handley said.
The tour consists of three courses. The 65-mile tour goes up Joy Mountain, and it has an option for a shortcut to shave 15 miles off the ride.
Then there is a 35-mile tour and an 11-mile fun ride. The tour will begin at Spring Park in downtown Searcy and wind through the city and up Joy Mountain.
The 65-mile route goes through Rosebud, Romance, Floyd, Beebe, McRae and back to Searcy.
“We have a lot of support for traffic control,” Handley said.
“We have four police departments: Searcy, Rose Bud, Beebe and McRae, and the White County Sheriff ’s Office. We are going through nine fire districts, and the first responders will be on the road communicating with the base.”
There will be jerseys and T-shirts available, and a special “I climbed Joy Mountain” T-shirt for those who make it to the top. Registration for the ride is $40 for the 35- and 65-mile tours, and $20 for the fun ride.
To register, visit Bike City orthe website at the65rosestour.
com. For more information on cystic fibrosis, visit cff.org.
Staff writer Jeanni Brosius can be reached at (501) 244-4307 or jbrosius@arkansasonline.
com.
> 65 Roses Tour
Why: Benefitting
Cystic Fibrosis
Foundation
When: April 21
Where: Begins and
ends in Searcy
Cost: $40 for the
35- and 65-mile tours;
$20 for the fun ride
More information:
the65rosetour.com
Three Rivers, Pages 124 on 03/25/2012