Manhattan Beach Hosts the Inaugural Tour de Pier

The Strand House in Manhattan Beach recently hosted a photo op and lunch to promote the Tour de Pier fundraising event scheduled to take place at the Manhattan Beach Pier on May 19.

The restaurant balcony was equipped with stationary bicycles for the occasion and local media gathered for video and photographs of guest athletes spinning their wheels.

Three-time Olympic Gold Medal Winner Kerry Walsh Jennings and Olympic Gold Medalist Eric Fonoimoana pedaled the bikes while Tour de Pier Founder, Heath Gregory, explained the purpose of the event and outlined the various other scheduled activities.

In addition to the cycling portion of the Tour de Pier, the event will include a Health Expo featuring fitness and health related sponsors. A Kid’s Fun Zone will include games, moon bounces and more.

Before and/or after the ride, join certified Lululemon instructors for a relaxing and invigorating stretch session on the sand. Bring a towel and stop by any time during the hours of 9:30 to 12:30. Stretch for a few minutes or a few hours!

Celebrity athletes scheduled to take part in the Tour de Pier include cyclist Rahsaan Bahati, pro basketball player Brent Barry, Olympic cyclist Tony Cruz and Olympic water polo Gold Medalist Heather Petri among others.

This one-of-a-kind fundraising event benefits both cancer and children’s charities, including: The Hirshberg Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer Research (www.pancreatic.org), The Livestrong Foundation (www.livestrong.org), The Cancer Support Community Redondo Beach (www.cancersupportredondobeach.org) and The Friendship Circle of the South Bay (www.gotfriends.com).

It’s a whole new way to take a ride at the beach!

For more information and registration, visit the website at http://www.tourdepier.com/faf/home/default.asp?ievent=1043904.

The Manhattan Beach Pier is located at the western end of Manhattan Beach Boulevard in Manhattan Beach.