Hello!
I will be riding my bike around Lake Calhoun for Tour de Vail (very similar to Tour de France, only slightly shorter), to raise money for services to persons with mental illness at Vail Place on July 26.

The annual Tour de Vail started seven years ago by two of our board members. We had 4 bikers the first year and they rode in a rain storm at Baker Park.

The Tour de Vail has grew last year to 75 people who ride bike, walk, or roller blade around Lake Calhoun. After the event, everyone comes to Minneapolis Vail Place and has a picnic in the back yard.

This year our goal is to increase the number of people participating in the event. This is a fun event for children and adults - and there are even more reasons to join us this year! Mike Pomeranz, from Kare 11 will be starting the event at Lake Calhoun. The Minnesota Roller Girls will be at the start line to get all of us on our way.

After the "tour" around the lake we have games and prizes for children of all ages at Minneapolis Vail Place. Food will be sponsored by Borders Foods for a fabulous picnic in the backyard.

Vail Place has also received a generous donation of a new bike! Raffle tickets are $5.00, with 5 tickets for $20.00. Raffle tickets may be purchased at Thomas Beach at Lake Calhoun on July 20, or on the day of Tour de Vail at Vail Place.

Will you help me reach our goal by joining us this year at Tour de Vail? You can register or get a group of friends and family together and create a team for this fun event. To register go to  www.firstgiving.com/vailplace

If you can not join us for the Tour de Vail, please sponsor my bike ride at this event. Your donation will also help make the Tour de Vail a great success! Donating at this secure website is easy and simple.

Thank you for your support - and forward this e-mail to anyone who you think would like to participate in Tour de Vail or donate to this event!