The Alpha-1 Gulf Coast Bike Trek 2024 took place on Saturday, November 2nd at St. Petersburg College in Clearwater, Florida. In partnership with the American Lung Association, the Alpha-1 Foundation continued the 29-year partnership of Escape to the Cape in the Southeast. Riders and volunteers cheered on Team Alpha-1 to cross the finish line on. Participants chose from different riders several rider registration options including a seasoned cyclist’s 62-mile loop, an adventure seeker’s 40-mile loop, or a family-friendly trek that tops out at 10 miles.
Thank you to the ALA Southeast Region under the guidance of Steven Riddle and look forward to a long partnership in our home state of Florida. For this inaugural ride, Alphas from nearby joined for the race including Tony Labud (62-mile race), Kevin Scott (42-mile race) and for the family ride, Jessica, Tom and Thomas Brown. Thank you to our amazing volunteers that helped organize the meals, cheer on the riders in the cheer zone and handed out medals at the finish line. Thank you, Maria Earley, Mirtha Pino-Baranda, Deb Labud, Dr. Samantha Lindsey, and members, from the Grifols team, Jennifer Growth, Alfredo Quinones and Vermice Quinones.
“It was a well-organized event that provided a challenging course but a very family friendly experience. We made new friends along the way and look forward to next year! Everyone made our little Alpha Thomas feel so special and it was nice to be able to show all of our annual donors’ pictures of our family actually participating in an actual bike trek. I was extremely honored and emotional to wear an Alpha angel patch in memory of Fred Walsh. He is dearly missed, and we will continue the mission forward in honor of him,” exclaimed Jessica Brown. Fred Walsh would have been very proud that we have expanded this incredible ride that started in the Northeast at Escape the Cape with the Alpha-1 Foundation over 28 years ago. Alphas proudly rode in his memory wearing his Alpha Angel patch.
