Registration now open for 24-hour bike race

SANDPOINT — Calling all bike riders looking for a good cause, including kids. Registration is now open for the second “Cycling for Cystinosis” fundraiser held in honor of Henry “Hank” Sturgis, a 4-year-old Sandpoint boy with a rare, fatal disease called cystinosis that affects only 500 children and young adults in the entire country, or just one in 600,000 Americans.

During the round-the-clock team relay road ride, participants raise pledges and see how many laps they can bike ride in 24 hours, beginning at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 11 and ending at 11 a.m. on Sunday, Sept. 12. 

Each lap is 19 miles long with very little elevation gain. All age levels and abilities are welcome  — anyone that can ride a bike, any kind of bike, can participate. New this year is the Kids’ Ride, a four-mile loop for kids 14 and under. 

Rider categories include solo participants, as well as two, three and four-person teams.  Teams ride for prizes, bragging rights and most importantly fundraising for cystinosis research and Hank’s future. 

The event benefits 24 Hours for Hank, a local nonprofit established to raise awareness of cystinosis and support fundraising efforts to find a cure for this extremely rare, genetic disease that eventually destroys the organs in the body including the kidneys, liver, eyes, muscles and brain.  To date, in only two years, the 24 Hours for Hank foundation has helped raise more than $175,000 toward a cure for cystinosis through local ski and bike benefit events.

While Cycling for Cystinosis has attracted experienced cyclists, leisure riders and families are encouraged to participate as well. 

“Really, it’s all about having fun for a good cause,” said Tricia Sturgis, Henry’s mom. “The event is open to anyone in the region that can ride a bike, including casual riders and kids. People can choose their level of involvement, whether it’s riding solo or part of a team, and participating the entire 24 hours or just part of the time.” 

During the inaugural “Cycling for Cystinosis” event held in 2008, 97 riders rode a total of 9,234 miles in 24 hours, raising more than $42,000 to support cystinosis research.  Riders ranged in age from six to 65, with the winning team logging 47 laps, or nearly 900 miles, in just 24 hours. 

Participants, volunteers and sponsors are needed for this year’s event, which takes place north of Sandpoint in the beautiful Selle Valley. Overnight camping accommodations are available.

For more information, to register, or to make a donation, call (208) 610-2131 or visit “www.24hoursforhank.org.”