Michelle Marciniak will join the fifth anniversary charity cycling event: Ride Tennessee. Marciniak, who was a part of the inaugural charity cycling event, Pedal for Pat, returns to ride in memory of her basketball coach Pat Summitt, who publicly battled Alzheimer’s.
“For everything Pat Summit did for me, this is my way of paying it forward for her,” Marciniak said. “I’m thrilled to re-join the 2021 Pedal for Alzheimer’s ride. The first two years I rode were two of the most amazing experiences of my life. Being on a bike for hours on end, day after day, and raising money to help those individuals and families afflicted by Alzheimer’s is the least we can do to find a cure.”
Michelle Marciniak
Marciniak, co-founder and co-CEO of SHEEX, was recently chosen by the Greater Knoxville Sports Hall of Fame for the 2021 Pat Summitt Ignite Greatness award. She also is the recipient of the 2021 NCAA Silver Anniversary Award for recognition of her collegiate and professional achievements as well as civic contributions.
She will pedal alongside founder Joshua Crisp among the ranks of assembled all-star team including Knoxville’s professional cyclist Brandon “Monk” Feehery, Skratch Labs professional chef Biju Thomas, event manager Tom Hopper of the Education First team, Kevin Sprouse M.D., medical director for the EF Education First-Drapac p/b Cannondale Pro Cycling Team and others.
The team of 24 cyclists will ride in the 6-day, 500-mile route to begin in Nashville and the team will make their way through the foothills to the Smoky Mountains, and will finish in Historic Downtown Knoxville with over 25,000 feet of climbing on their ride. This charity cycling event is set for Sept. 13-18.
Cyclists are invited to join the team on a first-come, first-serve basis until the 24 rider spots are taken. Details on how to register and how to support are here.