Toyota of Burien and a Ride Around the Sound

Toyota of Burien is teaming up with the American Lung Association of Washington to provide cyclists with a fully supported Ride Around the Sound on Sept. 15 in an effort to make sure people around Washington can ride their bikes, paddle their kayaks, and walk their dogs with healthy lungs and clean air. Toyota of Burien and the ALA made the Ride Around the Sound an event perfect for families and more experienced cyclists with rides ranging from the 12 mile family ride around West Seattle or a beautiful 100 mile “century” trek around Puget Sound. Individuals and families can register at RideAroundtheSound.org.

According to Renee Klein with the ALA of Washington, they are expecting 200-500 cyclists and volunteers and each will raise $150 to “support our tobacco, lung health and clean air programs. [The ALA's] mission is to keep kids from starting to smoke, to help adult smokers quit, to support people with lung disease, and to advocate for clean air at the local, state and national levels.” Partnering up with the ALA was only natural for Toyota of Burien because of Toyota’s dedication to create environmentally friendly automobiles that create less air pollution than most automobiles in the industry and Toyota of Burien’s commitment to bettering local communities.

In addition to sponsoring the event, Toyota of Burien and Chevrolet of Burien are providing pace cars in advance of the cyclists. Klein said the support of Toyota of Burien has a huge impact on the ALA and the community. “Burien Toyota is well known as a great community partner…Frankly without our partners like Burien Toyota, we could not conduct these events. It is especially important in an inaugural year like this one, where a partner is coming on board and we can build the relationship as the event grows in popularity.”

Toyota of Burien believes in giving back the community that it has served for so many years. In fact, even before her involvement with Toyota of Burien for the Ride Around the Sound, Renee was a customer there.

“My family lived in Normandy Park for 13 years, my kids went to local schools with the Anderson family who own the dealership, and I bought my first Prius from Burien Toyota,” Renee said. “It’s a great community business and we are lucky to have them.”

 Cherisse Timmer, from Olympia, Washington, will be cycling in Ride Around the Sound because she knows full well the impact of lung disease on families. “As a nurse, I see people who struggle with asthma and other lung diseases, or people who have lost loved ones to the crippling addiction to tobacco. I’m excited to be doing this ride to support such a great cause!”

 There are five convenient routes for the Ride Around the Sound. The Family Ride (12 miles) route is a short and relaxing ride along Alki Beach in West Seattle, allowing cyclists to take in panoramic views of the Seattle skyline. Predominantly on the Alki Trail, this route has been designed specifically to keep young or beginner cyclists away from traffic and challenging obstacles, such as hills or rough terrain. This is a fully supported ride, and as such will have refreshments, bike mechanical support for flat tires or gear adjustments, and first aid.

 Cyclists up to a bigger challenge can take on the full 100-mile “century” distance, an 88-mile route that also begins in West Seattle, a 75-mile route that begins in Normandy Park, or a 45-mile route that begins in Tacoma. The Family Ride begins and ends at South Seattle Community College. The longer rides end at the Southworth ferry dock on the Kitsap Peninsula, and participants will enjoy a relaxing ferry ride back to West Seattle and a sumptuous finish line feast.

Toyota of Burien is teaming up with the ALA to support its mission of “working to end lung disease and keep the air our children breathe clean. All proceeds will support the ALA’s mission to promote lung heath through education, advocacy and scientific research.” Join us as a rider or volunteer to create cleaner air and a brighter future for Washington’s children.

For more information about Ride Around the Sound, go to RideAroundtheSound.org. For more information about the American Lung Association, go to www.lungmtpacific.org For more information about Toyota of Burien, go to www.burientoyota.com