NEWBURY PARK, CA (BRAIN) — Liv/Giant is supporting the first national women's cycling team in Afghanistan, which was featured on MSNBC recently and for which several bike shops gathered donations this winter.
To support the team’s bid to qualify for the 2016 Olympics, Liv/Giant has partnered with Mountain 2 Mountain, a non-profit founded by National Geographic Adventurer of the Year Shannon Galpin. Mountain 2 Mountain has been working in Afghanistan for five years to create education and opportunities for women and girls. Liv/Giant is supplying five Avail Composite 1 road bikes that will be delivered to the team next week. The company will send an additional five to seven bikes to the team later this year.
“The opportunity to support this team with current road bikes and equipment is amazing,” said Liv/Giant’s global product marketing manager Jackie Baker. “Liv/Giant’s goal is to help more women find and enjoy the sport of cycling, and also to give them the resources to pursue their riding goals. As a brand, we are proud to assist this group of women so that they can reach their potential.”
After spending the winter fundraising from her home in Colorado, Galpin and a film crew are returning to Afghanistan this week to create a documentary film about the women’s team titled “Afghan Cycles.” Mountain 2 Mountain will build and deliver the bikes, and also distribute additional gear and nutrition products.
In addition to the five bikes, Galpin has gathered an additional 300 pounds of nutrition products, clothing and equipment for the team. To help cover the cost of transporting bikes and gear, donations can be made at www.mountain2mountain.org/donation. Liv/Giant will supply more bikes and gear this fall, with an agreement to equip the team at least through 2016.
More: MSNBC video.
