Sam Fox, staff at the Michael J. Fox Foundation, will bike from the top of Mt. Mitchell into Asheville for beers at Highland Brewery as part of Pints for Parkinson’s where $1 of every beer sold will support Tour de Fox. Tour de Fox is a 14,000-mile biking and hiking adventure which Sam Fox is currently taking on in hopes to raise awareness and funds for Parkinson’s Research. Fox will arrive at Highland Brewery on June 24 at 6 p.m. for beers after his 45-mile ride.
From Linda Morgan
Press Release
Ultra-athlete and Michael J. Fox Foundation staffer Sam Fox (no relation to Michael J. Fox) will pass through Asheville, NC as part of Tour de Fox — a 14,000-mile biking and hiking adventure across the contiguous United States and into British Columbia, Canada, which aims to raise $1 million for Parkinson’s research. On Wednesday, June 24 at 9am, Sam will ride from the top of Mt. Mitchell (the highest point east of the Mississippi River) to Asheville, NC alongside local community members. This ride will be a relaxing coast down the Blue Ridge Parkway. It will cover approximately 45 miles and descend 4,000 vertical feet in elevation.
Following the ride, Sam and fellow supporters will gather at 6pm at Highland Brewery for Pints for Parkinson’s. $1.00 of every beer sold will support Tour de Fox, in addition to a portion of proceeds from the food trucks on site. Featuring music by Woody Woods, join Sam to celebrate this adventure – as well as his birthday! Local Team Fox veterans, Team Cul de Sac, will be celebrating their 5th anniversary raising funds for The Michael J. Fox Foundation and attendees will also be honoring the life of Mike Dennis, fundraiser for Parkinson’s research.
Tour de Fox truly tests Sam’s physical limits. Between June 2 and September 12, he’ll bike more than 5,000 miles en route to climbing the highest peak in each state. Inspired by his own mother who lives with Parkinson’s disease, Sam has another goal: to meet the greater Parkinson’s community, inviting them to join him along the route.
“There are times it gets tough,” says Sam, 27, of his endurance challenges. “But anything I experience along the way just reminds me of what my mom and thousands of other people living with Parkinson’s experience every day. So, I keep going, and I hope people will join me for part of the Tour to honor themselves or the ones they love.”
Beth Friedman will host DEPedals4Parkinson’s Research – Bike to Brunch at BBC Tavern and Grill in Greenville in celebration of Tour de Fox, beginning at 11am. To learn more or to RSVP for the event contact Beth Friedman – baf705@co_mcast.net
“We’re excited to support Sam and Tour de Fox,” says Linda Morgan, event coordinator and local Asheville community member. “This event makes for a wonderful opportunity to bring together the local Parkinson’s community in pursuit of a cure. We’re ready to celebrate with old friends and make new ones. Come join Sam and I as we ‘climb’ to summit of Mount Mitchell, 9am June 24, on a 3/4mile, paved trail. OR form or join a cycling team and take the ride down!”
About Sam and Tour de Fox
Tour de Fox isn’t Sam’s first ultra-athletic feat to speed a Parkinson’s cure. Motivated by his mother Lucy who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2000, Sam, a Yale University alum, has turned his athletic gifts and passion for the outdoors into a fundraising powerhouse. In 2011, he ran the 2,650-mile Pacific Crest Trail in 60 days, raising $300,000 for The Michael J. Fox Foundation. Sam then joined the Foundation staff, where he serves as outreach and engagement officer. In 2012, he raised another $100,000 for research by running from New York City to the tip of Long Island in 24 hours.
Tour de Fox, created by crowd-sourced ideas from the Parkinson’s community, features 52 official climbs and rides. Sam will visit some of the most scenic parts of the United States, including the Adirondacks on the East Coast and, in the West, the Rockies, Yellowstone National Park and Napa wine country.
Sam is hoping to have lots of company along the way with most rides and climbs open to all experience levels and eight “TDFX” extreme events for more experienced athletes. Outside the Tour route, community members can plan their own Tour de Fox fundraiser to bring together their friends and neighbors for a local hike or bike ride and to raise funds for Parkinson’s research.
For those who can’t join the Tour but still want to support Sam and his efforts, MJFF is accepting donations and 100% of contributions will go straight to Parkinson’s studies.
Learn more, including a full Tour schedule, at www.tourdefox.org.
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