Tour Du Rouge Cyclists Make Stops in Louisiana

Bike riders enjoy Scenic Louisiana while Raising Funds for Disaster Relief 

The more than 100 cyclists riding from Houston to New Orleans are raising awareness and money for the American Red Cross along the disaster-prone Gulf Coast. The 526-mile adventure in six days takes cyclists past desolate coastal beauty, storm-damaged property, swamps and alligators.

The fifth annual Tour du Rouge began Sunday in Houston and arrives in the Morgan City Area on Wednesday evening for a night stop at Morgan City Holiday Inn before departing in the morning for Labadieville and a lunch stop at St. Joseph Plantation.

The cycling tour is a physical challenge as well as an endeavor in humanitarianism. The tour allows cyclists to support the Red Cross while doing something they love and to learn about disaster resiliency in an area that Hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Wilma devastated. And it’s arriving at a time just weeks before the start of hurricane season.

On Friday afternoon, cyclists will enter the Crescent City, proceeding to the Audubon Park bike path where they will later stop for lunch along the banks of the Mississippi River at The Fly. The cyclists will regroup following lunch and ride together down Magazine St. led by a police escort. The ride ends at Fulton St. Square in New Orleans with cheering Red Cross volunteers greeting the cyclists with achampagne toast.  

Tour du Rouge continues to grow and attract a diverse group of riders locally, from across the country, and the globe. This year’s cyclists are from 14 different states. Half the cyclists are returning Tour du Rouge riders. Ages range from 28 to 72.  And for some, Tour du Rouge is family time. There are many husband-wife, father-son and sibling teams. The family theme extends to the crew too, as several of the Tour du Rouge crew members are married to cyclists.

 

NOTE to PRODUCERS / EDITORS

Riders, crew members, volunteers and Red Cross staffers are available for media interviews and photos at the following locations:

 

Wednesday, May 8, 2013.  Noon to 1:30p.m.

Franklin, LA – Lunch on Bayou Teche in front of the courthouse.  A Franklin city council member will join the cyclists. 

Lunch is generously donated by Bayou Casino.  

101 Wilson St., Franklin, LA 70538

 

Wednesday, May 8, 2013.  Arrival at 3:00p.m. to 3:30p.m.

Celebration Dinner at 6:00p.m.

Morgan City Holiday Inn 

520 Roderick St. Morgan City, LA 70381

 

Thursday, May 9, 2013. 11:00a.m. to 12:00p.m.

Lunch at the scenic St. Joseph Plantation

3535 Louisiana 18  Vacherie, LA 70090  

Thursday, May 9, 2013. 3:00p.m

Cyclists arrive at the Gonzalez Clarion Inn.

1500 Louisiana 30, Gonzales, LA 70737

 

Thursday, May 9, 2013. 6:00p.m.

Cyclists gather for a celebration dinner at the Gonzalez Clarion Inn. 

1500 Louisiana 30, Gonzales, LA 70737

 

Friday, May 10, 2013. 8:00a.m.

Cyclists depart the Gonzalez Clarion Inn.   

1500 Louisiana 30, Gonzales, LA 70737

 

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About the American Red Cross: The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies nearly half of the nation’s blood; teaches lifesaving skills; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a charitableorganization — not a government agency — and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit www.redcross.org or join our blog at http://blog.redcross.org.