Why Bike America?
BIKE AMERICA 2024
IS AN INITIATIVE AIMED AT
MOTIVATING AND ENABLING
OUR COMMUNITIES TO TACKLE
HEALTH INEQUITIES AND EMBRACE
A LIFELONG COMMITMENT
TO PHYSICAL ACTIVITY
The Challenge!
Heart disease, America’s most formidable health adversary, poses a particularly grave risk to African-Americans. However, its impact can be substantially mitigated by adopting a strategic regimen of physical exercise and plant-based eating. Through the power of that combination, we can witness a remarkable improvement in health outcomes. Cycling, an enjoyable activity for the entire family, can steer America towards a harmonious state of mental and physical wellness.
https://theheartfoundation.org/2018/09/07/african-americans-and-heart-disease/
THE OBJECTIVE
- Raise Funds for non-profits dedicated to healthy living and disease prevention among African American communities.
- Identify corporations with an ethical brand committed to building strong, healthy communities.
- Demonstrate corporate support of environmental, social and governance objectives.
PROPOSED ROUTE
America is a beautiful country with many of the world's greatest cities. There are many routes to travel, but the Inaugural Bike America 2024 route takes you from the east coast's most iconic city, New York, to the midwest's most iconic city, Chicago. It's a two week journey with stops in Philadelphia, Harrisburg, Pittsburg, Columbus and Indianapolis.
WHY CYCLING?
- Weight Management: Cycling can help lower body fat levels, promoting healthy weight management.
- Strengthens Legs: Cycling improves lower body functioning without overstressing your joints.
- Suitable for Beginners: Cycling is a low-impact making it suitable for all levels.
- Lowers Cholesterol: Cycling may improve cholesterol levels lowering your chances of stroke and heart attack.
- Boosts Mental Health and Brain Power: Cycling can ease feelings of stress, depression, or anxiety.
- Improves Cardiovascular Health: Regular aerobic exercise, like cycling, decreases your risk of developing severe heart disease and vascular disease.
https://www.healthline.com/health/fitness-exercise/cycling-benefits#benefits
WHY PLANT-BASED EATING?
- Better Nutrition: Plants are healthy, and most of us don’t eat the recommended amount of fruits and veggies, so making the majority of your diet plant-based will up your produce consumption. Fruits and vegetables are rich in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and fiber.
- A Healthier Heart: Eating a vegetarian diet may lower your risk of cardiovascular disease, and may improve other risk factors for heart disease by lowering your blood pressure and cholesterol, and improving your blood sugar control.
- Lower Diabetes Risk: Eating a vegetarian diet can help prevent and treat type 2 diabetes. This is because plant-based diets improve insulin sensitivity, help with weight management, and reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease.
- Decreased Cancer Risk: Research consistently shows that regularly eating plenty of fruits, veggies, legumes, and grains—aka plants— is associated with a lower cancer risk.
https://www.livestrong.com/article/13730585-plant-based-diet-benefits/
Kirk Charles - Ride Leader
Kirk Charles is on a mission to get America in tip-top shape! He has been a NASM Certified Personal Trainer since 2010 and has successfully conducted more than 13,000 group and personal training sessions. Kirk also credits more than 35 years of plant-based eating as the key to his success.
Kirk focuses on the more mature generation for his training and coaching sessions. He created the Fit Beyond 40 online coaching platform in 2021. Through exercise and plant-based food preparation classes, Kirk has educated and inspired his followers to be physically and mentally prepared to get through the rigors and challenges of life.
Kirk wrote a weekly column for MensHealth.com and has authored more than 100 articles on exercise for the mature man. He has also written a weekly column for TheHub.News, which focused on plant-based eating, exercise and health related issues. As a freelancer he has written for AARP, Black Enterprise and Black Men magazines.
With all of his responsibilities, Kirk is also an accomplished commercial actor and model. His image and likeness has appeared in national commercial and print advertisements for ESPN, Merck, Coldwell Banker, State Farm, The Motley Fool, Uber, Johnson & Johnson and many others.
Kirk is a proud graduate of Rutgers University, an avid cyclist, a jazz enthusiast and resides in Montclair, New Jersey.
