The Maryland Wine Festival

The 2011 Ride for Health Bike Tour in partnership with The Maryland Wine Festival ® is set for Saturday, September 17, 2011 at the Carroll County Agriculture Center, Burns Hall. Registration is from 7:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. with a rolling start beginning at 7:30 a.m.

There are three scenic tours for novice to expert, 8 mile, 31 mile, and 62 mile (metric century). Special features include a commemorative event t-shirt and five rest stops to ensure cyclists are well hydrated, nourished, and safe. The cost is only $40.00 per adult and $20.00 per child under age 16. Registration can be done through the organization’s website, www.accesscarroll.org, active.com, or by calling 410-871-1478. Event sponsors are encouraged to contact Access Carroll before August 26, 2011 for inclusion in the event t-shirt and printed information.

Proceeds will benefit Access Carroll, Inc., a 501 (c)(3) organization offering free primary health care and other adjunct health services to uninsured, low-income residents. Health care is provided by a team of volunteer physicians, nurses, and other support staff from the community. As a health care home, Access Carroll removes traditional barriers to quality health care to help patients maintain good health and learn to manage any acute or chronic illness. Other supportive medical services provided include complete medication assistance, laboratory testing, radiology studies, referrals to specialists, patient education, specialized case management, and community resource links and advocacy.

There are approximately 24,000 uninsured, low-income residents in Carroll County with numbers steadily rising. Over 700,000 are reported as uninsured in Maryland. Approximately 75% of those seeking health care services are chronically ill, suffering with diseases including diabetes, asthma, high blood pressure, heart disease, and mental illness. The 2011 Ride for Health Bike Tour will provide a fun and safe venue for bicyclists to enjoy the beautiful, rolling hills of Carroll County while supporting the mission of Access Carroll to be a health care home to the uninsured.