30th Annual Whitney Classic Appeal

Steve Atkins

September 4, 2011

Riding through Death Valley in 2010!

Yes, its that time of year again…The 30^th Annual Whitney Classic Bike Ride, Summit Adventure’s main fundraising event, will take place on September 24^th-25^th .The Whitney is an adventurous 135-mile bike ride that starts at 3:00 p.m. at Badwater, Death Valley, California (282 ft. below sea level), continues through the night and finishes the next morning at the portals at Mt. Whitney (8365 feet above sea level). The ride includes three major climbs of 17 miles, 13 miles and 13 miles, two of which by Tour de France classifications are considered “Out of Category” which to you and me means “really, really steep.” Total elevation gain for the ride is 15,300 feet.

This is my 12^th Whitney! What, are you nuts? Yes, nuts and addicted to this awesome ride. I love to ride, I love Summit Adventure, and I love this event. Nothing matches the awesome course, camaraderie of the participants, and incredible support from Summit Staff and volunteers. Many of you have been loyal supporters of Summit all these years. I cannot thank you enough!

Even at this late date, I am not sure if I will ride solo or part of a team for this year’s addition. All my riding focus this year was on the Paris-Brest-Paris Randonneur. All I know at this point is that I can’t resist the siren call of the Whitney Classic and I will be at the start line in Bad Water later this month!

In the past eleven years, through your generous support, we have contributed over $115,000 to Summit Adventure! Thank you! Here’s where you come in: I have set a goal to raise $10,000 for this year’s Whitney. Course income provides for only 45 percent of the Summit budget. The rest comes through fund raising events such as the Whitney Classic. I served as a member of the Summit Board of Directors and know how critical a successful Whitney is to the financial health of the ministry. Debby, Mark, Michael and I have all participated on Summit courses over the years and have been deeply impacted by this great ministry! We all love Summit. That’s why I ride!

Please join my support team and send in your donation today! (Donate online by clicking here and indicate ‘Atkins WC’ in the donor comment box).

Please pray with me for a safe, successful event. If you have any questions, or would like to just catch up, please call me at 602-549-5331 or at home at 480-775-1682. I would love to hear from you. Thank you and God bless!

Check out:
My ride report from last year by  clicking here.        Summit’s web page by clicking here         

___________________________________________________________________

                                                Donations are tax deductible.

YES, Steve you are crazy and
 I WILL SPONSOR YOU AND SUMMIT FOR; $2,000  $1,000   $500  $250  $100  $________

·         I WILL BE PRAYING FOR YOU

If you prefer snail mail please send your gift with this stub to Summit Adventure. Thanks!
Atkins WC

PO Box 498, Bass Lake CA  93604