Cycling For the Kids

Laguna Beach resident George Vitolo set out this month to complete a 12 hour, 100 mile endurance race with one goal in mind–to bring more joy to kids fighting cancer. George, a former Emergency Medical Technician, has worked for years helping people fighting for their lives. But for George, the experience of helping bring joy to a child fighting cancer through his own challenging endurance race was like no other experience he has had before, and one that kept him motivated to reach the finish line.

George spent months training for the Temecula race that took place on November 09, 2013. With a mountain bike made just for him by Pro Bike Supply and sponsored by Shoreline Ambulance, George had everything he needed to lap the 9-mile loop race track. Knowing the race would be difficult for him, George wanted a challenge that would be a constant reminder to him all of the kids and families who have to face far bigger challenges each and every day.

George finished the race in 3rd place out of 1,000 participants. However, it was lap 4 of 11 when George was ready to throw in the towel. In a state of complete exhaustion due to an abrupt change of diet during the race, George had lost all energy at this point and was about to step off of his bike. George shares with us his feelings at the time, “I had nothing left, I was done”.

At that same moment, George remembered what this race was about for him– it was all for the kids- the kids who didn’t have the option to get off the bike–the kids who had to keep fighting these tough battles, day in and day out. “I had to dig deep within. “It took everything I had to keep going. Thinking of Jessie and all of the kids fighting cancer, I had to keep going- I could never give up”. George shares with us that he then saw his wife around the corner who helped him to gather his strength and get back on his bike. George tells us that it was that constant internal dialogue, Never Ever Give Up that carried him 7 more lapses to the finish line and the 3rd place seat. Wow!

Now, post race, George has set out to raise some big time funds for the Jessie Rees Foundation. The mountain bike that was used for George’s race that was generously donated by Shoreline Ambulance and Pro Bike Supply will be sold with all proceeds going to Jessi’s JoyJars!

Here are the specs on the bike.

It is a 19 lb Open Cycle bike selling for $5,300 (retails for $7,000)
Frame: Open Cycle O-1.0 Black (choose your size)
Fork: Rock Shox SID RCT3 Taper 9mm QR White
Headset: Rotor Inset
Stem: Truvativ T20 90mm
Bars: Easton EC70 Carbon XC Wide
Seatpost: Easton EC70 27.2 x 400 0SB
Saddle: WTB Rocket V White
Brakes: Hope Race X2 Evo Stealth
Rotors: 160/160mm KCNC Razor
Crank: Sram XX1 175mm GXP
Chainring: Sram XX1 32T
Chain: Sram XX1
Rear Derailleur: Sram XX1
Cassette: Sram XX1 10-42t
Wheels: Stan’s Tubes RaceGold 29er
Front Tire: Continental Mountain King 2.2
Rear Tire: Continental Race King 2.2
Grips: ESI Chunky (choose your color)