Ride Ataxia Philly

Outback Steakhouse is calling all cyclists to join them in a day of personal triumph, physical achievement and family fun.
By Kimberly Cambra

The mates at Outback Steakhouse are putting their wheels in motion and the pedal to the metal to raise awareness and funds for Friedreichs Ataxia Research Alliance (FARA) and Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) with a first annual Ride Ataxia Philly cycling event. The event will combine the personal physical test of the historically challenging Ride Ataxia, founded by Kyle Bryant, who himself has Friedreichs Ataxia, and his team has to date logged over 3,300 miles and raised precious awareness for this debilitative disease. In addition to these annual treks Kyle and his team have also raised $700,000 in research funds.

The mission of Ride Ataxia is to educate the public about ataxia by drawing attention through acts of physical endurance, enable the advancement of ataxia research through collaborative financial support and empower Ataxians by inspiring, motivating and providing opportunities to develop physical and mental strength. This year’s Ride Ataxia Philly is positioned to uphold Kyle’s mission with the October 25th one-day event that will exude a family atmosphere for all levels of riders.

For the past 19 years, Outback Steakhouse has had a strong and tasty presence in the Delaware Valley, along with a commitment to giving back to the community. This particular fundraiser was an idea John Jackson, Joint Venture partner for Outback Steakhouse Philadelphia market, had and was compelled to get involved with when a colleague’s family member was diagnosed with Friedreichs Ataxia. Jackson, himself a cyclist, thought a “ride” event would be an ideal approach for this important cause. He knew this event was the right thing to do and soon contacted FARA only to discover that Kyle Bryant too had put his wheels in motion to educate, enable and empower others. From that moment forward, Outback Steakhouse and FARA paths came together on this inaugural fundraiser.

Bryant will be in attendance and leading the pack along with eight others afflicted with Friedreichs Ataxia. The Ride Ataxia Philly event wants to attract both able and disabled riders in order to showcase the true need for ongoing research, which is exactly what FARA and CHOP do together in the region. Friedreichs Ataxia Research Alliance headquarters are based in Exton and work very closely with CHOP on advancing research and clinical studies. Ride Ataxia Philly will take place at the perfect route—the Limerick Community Park, where they will host a 10, 25 and 50 mile course.

As John Jackson began to make things come together for Ride Ataxia Philly and Outback Steakhouse, he soon enlisted the help from the sister establishments within OSI Restaurant Partners to include Carrabba’s Italian Grill and Bonefish Grill. Rest assured there will be plenty of great food served up for families participating and plenty of post ride activities to enjoy. But you can bet all this cycling is certain to make anyone thirsty and our friends at Hank’s Gourmet Beverages will be on-site to quench that thirst with their sumptuous array of boutique elixirs. Hank’s Gourmet Beverages wants to make certain the needed funds and awareness are raised for the good of both FARA and the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.

For more information on saddling up for Ride Ataxia Philly, visit the Friedreichs Ataxia Research Alliance’s website, www.curefa.org or the Ride Ataxia website at www.rideataxia.org/philly. All of the regional Outback Steakhouses will also have Ride Ataxia Philly information available and how you too can help Outback Steakhouse and Hank’s Gourmet Beverages support FARA and CHOP to continue their work for further advancing research for this debilitating, life-shortening, degenerative neuromuscular disorder.