Press Release:

On Thursday, February 17, 5-8pm, at AllStar Fitness there’s a 'Spinathon' (basically a three-hour-long cycling spin class!) to raise funds for the Cascade Bicycle Club's Major Taylor Project, which is expanding to Sealth High School. Named after Marshall “Major” Taylor, a turn of the century African-American bicycle track champion, the Major Taylor Project reaches diverse students and provides them with unique opportunities for personal growth and empowerment through cycling.

Funds raised at the Spinathon will pay for the project’s expansion to Sealth High School and other sites in South King County. The goal is to raise $5,000. The Major Taylor project started two years ago, it has sites in White Center at The YES! Foundation/Evergreen High School, Global Connections High School in SeaTac and at Sand Point Transitional Housing. The program now serves 150+ kids.

Many of these young people have never ridden bikes; they begin their training in the spring and 14 of them finished the 200 mile Seattle to Portland ride last year! Several of them have now tried bike racing. Many of the Major Taylor teens are economically challenged and better than 70% of students attending their high schools receive free/reduced lunch. Cycling brings them together, promotes teamwork and the opportunity to experience what it takes and feels like to achieve high goals.

There are two ways people can help:

1.Ride in the Spinathon – some spots still open! You can ride for 1 hour, 2 hours, or all 3 hours - from 5-6pm, 6-7pm, or 7-8pm time slots. To register: email opa@cascadebicycleclub.org or ed.ewing@cascadebicycleclub.org. Cost is a minimum $25 per hour donation. Checks can be made out to 'Cascade Bicycle Club Education Foundation', which is a (501)(3)c. Participants can bring their donation the night of the event or mail to the address below.

2.For those not riding – you can help the program reach more kids in West Seattle by donating to the Major Taylor Project. Two ways to donate:

Online (you’ll need to set up an account): http://shop.cascade.org/content/major-taylor-project-stp-donation or by mail:
Cascade Bicycle Club Education Foundation Major Taylor Program
7400 Sand Point Way NE, Suite 101S
Seattle, WA 98115