DEARBORN, Mich., July 31 - Michigan Avenue/US-12 will become a highway of hope as four cyclists and their 2009 Ford Flex support vehicle start their ride for cystic fibrosis (CF) on Saturday, August 2. The second annual City to City Ride from downtown Detroit to downtown Chicago follows Michigan Avenue/US-12 and will raise funds and awareness for CF.
Emily Schaller, founder of Rock CF Foundation, Kevin Borsay, owner of Pure Detroit Brand Apparel, and two additional riders will travel the 282 mile trip in five days. Schaller, now 26, was diagnosed as a child with CF and last year initiated the City to City Ride with Borsay to support research initiatives and heighten public awareness in the fight against CF.
With the Ford Flex's integrated refrigerator located between the second-row seats, critical medicine and water for the cyclists will be in safe keeping and readily available during the trip.
The Ford Flex vehicle was donated for the City to City Ride by Marcy Klevorn, director, Ford IT Infrastructure. "The Flex was the perfect solution for supporting the riders with needed refrigeration and providing ample traveling space for after the event," Klevorn said. "This vehicle is a great solution for families who need comfort, space and fuel economy."
"We also are excited that the Flex will be appearing in small towns along the Michigan Avenue route," she added.
The ride will take five days with overnight stops in Clinton, Coldwater, Union and New Buffalo before arriving in Chicago. Ford dealerships along the US12 route have enthusiastically responded to Emily's visit to their towns. Participating dealerships are Clinton Tecumseh Ford in Clinton, Mich., Cole/Story Ford Lincoln-Mercury in Coldwater, Mich., and Three Oaks Ford-Mercury in Three Oaks, Mich.
