This year, SpinOdyssey is newly expanded, drawing participants in Spinning, Pilates, Yoga, Zumba (aerobic Latin dancing, for those who need a definition) and tennis.
The six-hour event is the longest-running and biggest Spinning fundraiser in the country which is all volunteer-run and for which 100 percent of the pledges are donated to breast cancer research scientists.
Almost 400 riders ranging from novice Spinning participants to expert cyclists are expected to take part in this day of fun and fitness. New for 2009 will be options to participate in hourly Zumba Workout from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Pilates class from 1 to 2 p.m. and Yoga from 2 to 3 p.m.
According to 2009 Co-Chair Patty Kondub of Westport, "Our event is entering a decade and we have expanded its offerings beyond riding a stationary bike, so that more people can be involved and raise money. Besides Zumba, Pilates and Yoga, the other tennis courts will have tennis players participating in our second "TennisOdyssey." Last year, TennisOdyssey participants hit over 30,000 balls during the 6 hours of SpinOdyssey.
Last March, rider support and corporate sponsorship elevated SpinOdyssey 2008 to a record-breaking $500,000 raised for American Cancer Society Breast Cancer Research. An additional $19,000 was raised for breast cancer clinical trials at the Whittingham Cancer Center at Norwalk Hospital.
Kondub, who has led the event since 2003, is again joined by Douglas Schwartz of Stamford to co-chair the 2009 ride. Other members of the SpinOdyssey 2009 steering committee include many Westporters: event co-founder Amelie Babkie, Craig Brunet, Barry and Gael Ficken, Clair Mason, Judy Samuels, Norman Trepner, Fred Ury; Debbie Friedman and Andy Marcu (Weston); Chris Chait, and Deborah Schwartz among others.
Local sponsors for this fundraiser include Robeks Juice, Steaz Energy, Cycle Dynamics, Ben & Jerry's and the Westport Weston Family Y. Also helping to run the huge event are the Staples High School football and golf teams.
Another highlight of the day is "The Researcher Corner," where scientists funded by SpinOdyssey are on-site to discuss their projects. All four researchers funded by 2008 monies will be at SpinOdyssey 2009. They are Dr. Traci Renae Lyons, Ph.D., University of Colorado Denver; Joshua Lyon Andersen, Ph.D., Duke University; Rachel Dusek, Ph.D., Stanford Univeristy; Dr. Christopher Thomas Veldkamp, Medical College of Wisconsin.
SpinOdyssey has raised more than $1,901,632 for breast cancer research since the first ride of 2000 that brought in $5,000. Participants collect sponsor pledges in advance of the day, and 100 percent is given to fund breast cancer research through the American Cancer Society and trials at Whittingham Cancer Center at Norwalk Hospital. All participants representing local companies, health clubs, schools, civic groups and other organizations are eligible for a number of fundraising incentive prizes and other honors awarded throughout this day of food, fun, music and fitness.
For more information about SpinOdyssey 2009, log on to www.spinodyssey.org.