Wednesday, September 2, 2009

OrganicAthlete to Launch All Vegan Cycling Team

OrganicAthlete to Launch All Vegan Cycling Team

Official Team Vegan presentation takes place at Clif Bar Headquarters in Berkeley, CA on March 29th, 2007.

Berkeley, CA (PRWEB) March 22, 2007

On March 29th, 2007 at the Clif Bar Headquarters, 1610 5th Street in Berkeley, CA, OrganicAthlete will introduce the first group of elite bicycle racers aiming to bust the myth that animal products are needed for strength and stamina. The Team Vegan Presentation is being held from 6-9pm next Thursday to celebrate the team's official launch.

OrganicAthlete, a nonprofit that educates people about health and environmental stewardship, started the vegan cycling team to lead by example. OrganicAthlete founder and team captain Bradley Saul explains, "We want to show people a healthy, plant-based diet is possible for active, sporting people of any level. The bottom line is that reducing one's consumption of animal products and increasing one's consumption of whole, plant foods is better for one's health and the environment."

Saul, a former pro with the Jittery Joe's Cycling Team, founded OrganicAthlete in 2003 to educate people about the benefits of an organic, plant-based diet and lifestyle. "I saw that most people were fearful of a vegan lifestyle as if it was somehow lacking or difficult," Saul says, "But unless health, ecological footprint, and compassion for animals are things to be afraid of, these fears are unfounded."

While OrganicAthlete has over 500 members worldwide, the young cycling team consists of over 20 riders from all over the country, from category 5 riders to category 1 racers. In conjunction with their racing schedule, which includes races from California to New York City, the team's elite riders are scheduling speaking engagements to talk about plant-based nutrition.

The team launch event includes food, a silent auction, a screening of "Raw Wheels," and a Q&A session with the team. Raw Wheels is a short movie about a vegan cyclist from the city who falls in love with a meat-eating waitress in a small town. The event is a $20 donation, and RSVPs are requested.

"We're excited to have the support of Clif Bar for this project," adds Saul. "They've been committed to organics for several years, and they already support our series of Tour d'Organics bike rides." The OrganicAthlete Cycling Team is sponsored by VegNews Magazine, Organic Spa Magazine, Clif Bar, Mill Valley Cycleworks, New Harvest Organics, Melissa's, PDS Sports Medicine, Earl's Organics, Bio-Lube, Speedplay, Specialized, Beljum Budder, and Living Nutrition Magazine.

For more information about the OrganicAthlete Cycling Team, visit http://www. teamvegan. org (http://www. teamvegan. org) or http://www. organicathlete. org (http://www. organicathlete. org). To RSVP for the team launch, email info(at)organicathlete. org or call 707-360-8511.

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