food & wine
Ride Ataxia Philly Outback Steakhouse is calling all cyclists to join them in a day of personal triumph, physical achievement and family fun. By Kimberly Cambra The mates at Outback Steakhouse are putting
photos by rob hall
their wheels in motion and the pedal to the metal to raise awareness and funds for Friedreichs Ataxia Research Alliance (FARA) and Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) with a first annual Ride Ataxia Philly cycling event. The event will combine the personal physical test of the historically challenging Ride Ataxia, founded by Kyle Bryant, who himself has Friedreichs Ataxia, and his team has to date logged over 3,300 miles and raised precious awareness for this debilitative disease. In addition to these annual treks Kyle and his team have also raised $700,000 in research funds. The mission of Ride Ataxia is to educate the public about ataxia by drawing attention through acts of physical endurance, enable the advancement of ataxia research through collaborative financial support and empower Ataxians by inspiring, motivating and providing opportunities to develop physical and mental strength. This year’s Ride Ataxia Philly is positioned to uphold Kyle’s mission with the October 25th one-day event that will exude a family atmosphere for all levels of riders.
“The Ride Ataxia Philly event wants to attract both able and disabled riders in order to showcase the true need for ongoing research, which is exactly what FARA and CHOP do together in the region.” For the past 19 years, Outback Steakhouse has had a strong and tasty presence in the Delaware Valley, along with a commitment to giving back to the community. This particular fundraiser was an idea John Jackson, Joint Venture partner for Outback Steakhouse Philadelphia market, had and was compelled to get involved with when a colleague’s family member was diagnosed with Friedreichs Ataxia. Jackson, himself a cyclist, thought a “ride” event would be an ideal
Outback Steakhouse’s Alyson Baker, Michael Bizzoso, Steve Buri and John Jackson sitting in front of Bill Dunman and Anthony Salvatore from Hank’s Gourmet Beverages.
{ 58 } BUCKS & Montgomery LIVING • september 2009