Bike for Life

Charity Biking Event and More this Sunday in Pudong - By Natalee Blagden, Oct 26, 07

~~This Sunday~~ there will be a bevy of bicycles, piles of pie, a bouncy castle, and a lot of good karma in Pudong. It's all part of Bike for Life, a charity event hosted by Bohdi Bikes and Lifeline Shanghai.

From 11am to 3pm, there will be ongoing beginner-level bicycle tours, volleyball, all-you-can-eat barbeque, and a wide array of other family friendly activities in support of two local charity foundations. Tickets are 160rmb for adults, and 80rmb for children under 16.

The buffet and bike rental are included in the ticket price, and rental helmets (optional) are available free of charge. Bike tours are 30-40 minute (5-10K) loops, starting and ending at Syzygy restaurant, and led by qualified guides.

If you cant make it to Syzygy on your own (it's in "Outer Pudongland"), Bike for Life is providing bus service from Portman in Puxi to Syzygy for 50rmb round trip, 60rmb for two people. Seating is limited. Contact sh.partyplanner@gmail.com or call 15921770429 for information, event tickets, and bus service.

As for the aforementioned piles of pies, Bike for Life also includes a pie-eating contest, Halloween costume contest, a farmer's market featuring organic produce, and face painting for the kids.

Proceeds from this carnivalesque afternoon of costumes, food, and outdoor fun will help save lives by benefiting Lifeline and Heart to Heart. Cathrene of Timesavers, who helped organize the event, says Lifeline literally saved her when she first moved to Shanghai. Lifeline is more than a crisis intervention center, though. Confidential counseling and emotional support is just one aspect of Lifeline. They also provide information on, well, just about anything you need, as near as the dialing pad on your phone, from 10am to 10pm 365 days a year.

Heart to Heart Shanghai is a non-profit foundation supporting underprivileged Chinese children in need of heart surgery. Heart to Heart provides financial support as well as in-hospital playroom sessions and other provisions to make the whole process easier for patients and their families.

For Cathrene, "having Heart to Heart involved has certainly brought more meaning to the event, especially for the kids who will be attending. They will feel good knowing they are helping kids who are just like them."

Can't make it on Sunday? To donate or volunteer at Lifeline go to lifelineshanghai.com, and to reach Heart to Heart, visit www.heart2heartshanghai.net.

*Note: cycling not recommended for children under four feet tall due to unavailability of bikes under 16" frame size.

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For those interested in pursuing more cycling in and around Shanghai, Bohdi regularly hosts public cycling nights, and offers customizable private tours for individuals, groups, corporate activities, and special events. Bohdi does it all, whether you want a relaxed roll through the Suzhou creek area, or hardcore hill-surfing at Tianmu Lake.

Timesavers does corporate and private event planning and arranges specialized bike tours and walking tours. They offer weekend getaways, and they help newcomers discover the secrets of the city via guided sightseeing and shopping excursions.

Residents who would like to cycle on a more regular basis can also buy or rent gear at Bohdi (Bohdisattva), Suite 2308, Building 2, 2918 North Zhong Shan Road, www.bohdi.com. Timesavers can be reached at http://www.timesavers-shanghai.com.