Strider Sports, Amgen Tour of California and UnitedHealthcare's Children's Foundation Make Healthy Living Fun

Online, May 18, 2012 (Newswire.com) - Strider Sports International, developer of the patented STRIDER™ No-Pedal Balance Bike, will host the final STRIDER Adventure Zone, taking place as part of the Amgen Tour of California's popular Lifestyle Festival. The Strider Adventure Zones give kids as young as 18-months old a chance to test ride a STRIDER™ No-Pedal Balance Bike, play with other kids in a cordoned off area, and experience the challenge and thrill of riding a STRIDER on unique terrains and around obstacles in order to improve bike handling skills and further develop balance, control, motor skills and confidence. This safe and friendly environment encourages children to explore the world on two wheels.

This free event allows children open riding time, time to socialize, play, practice tricks, learn about bike safety, and generally just have fun! The STRIDER™ No-Pedal Balance Bike was designed specifically to help toddlers and young children (18-months to 5-years) learn balance and coordination before pedaling.

During the final stages of the 2012 Amgen Tour of California, UnitedHealthcare's 'mascot' Dr. Health E. Hound will be on-site to meet with the children and families at the Adventure Zone, as well as promote UnitedHealthcare's mission of helping people live healthier lives and to encourage children to embrace healthy living.

"At Strider Sports we are committed to supporting a fun, healthy, safe and fit lifestyle through bicycling," says Ryan McFarland, founder and CEO of Strider Sports International. "Our Strider Adventure Zones encourage children as young as 18-months to play, learn and socialize with peers while experiencing the success and freedom of riding on two wheels. There is nothing more satisfying than seeing a child overflow with confidence and self-esteem when they realize 'I did it!' In that moment you know they've found a love of cycling that will keep them fit and healthy for years to come."

The 2012 Amgen Tour stared in Santa Rosa, California on May 13, and will finish at L.A. LIVE in downtown Los Angeles on Sunday, May 20, with riders having covered more than 735 miles during the eight-day stage race.

To support the Tour, participate in an Adventure Zone event, and to meet Dr. Health E. Hound, please visit the following tour locations:

Date Location Time
May 18 Big Bear Lake
(Summit Blvd & Thrush Dr.) 11:00am - 4:00pm

May 19 Mt. Baldy (Near the Summit of Mt. Baldy on Mt. Baldy Rd) 11:00am - 4:30pm

May 20 Los Angeles (Lot 6 - W 12 St btw S Figueroa & S. Flower St.) 8:30am - 12:30pm

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Note to Editors: Dr. Health E. Hound will be available for video and still photography while the children participate in the Strider Adventure Zones. Media releases will be on file for all participants to ensure restriction-free images. Strider logos and high-resolution images of children riding Strider no-pedal balance bikes can be requested by emailing: [email protected].

About Strider Sports International, Inc.
Strider Sports International, Inc. designs efficient, no-pedal balance bikes that encourage toddlers to ride, learn, and explore the world on two wheels. Founded by Ryan McFarland in January 2007, Strider Sports is a company full of passionate riders of dirt, mountain, street, and road bikes. The goal of Strider Sports is to simplify a bike to its essence, so that proper size, lightweight and simplicity combine to eliminate any fear of riding and instill confidence in young new riders. The patented STRIDER™ No-Pedal Bike is now distributed in over 35 countries. To learn more and to find a retailer in your area, visit http://www.StriderBikes.com.

About Strider Adventure Zones
STRIDER Adventure Zones give kids a chance to test ride a Strider and play with other kids in a cordoned off area. This safe and friendly environment encourages children as young as 18 months old to explore mobility on two wheels, experience the challenge and thrill of riding a STRIDER on unique terrains and obstacles, improve bike-handling skills and further develop balance, control, motor skills and confidence. STRIDER Adventure Zones are free events that allow children open riding time, time to socialize, play, practice tricks and generally just have a good time. The Adventure Zone course can be set up in as small as a 10' x 30' area inside or outside and on almost any terrain.

About the Amgen Tour of California
The largest cycling event in America, the 2012 Amgen Tour of California is a Tour de France-style cycling road race, presented by AEG that challenges the world's top professional cycling teams to compete along a demanding course from May 13-20, 2012. In a 2011 poll conducted by
CyclingNews.com, the Amgen Tour of California was voted the number one race in America and fourth best race in the world. For more information, visit http://www.amgentourofcalifornia.com.

About UnitedHealthcare Children's Foundation
The UnitedHealthcare Children's Foundation (UHCCF) is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) public charity that strives to enhance either the clinical condition or quality of life of children who have health care needs not fully covered by their commercial health benefit plan. UHCCF provides medical grants of up to $5,000 for costs associated with medical services and equipment. UHCCF's funding is provided by contributions from individuals, corporations and UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH) employees. Donations to help provide assistance are deeply appreciated. To apply, donate or learn more, please visit www.uhccf.org.