These days amateur cyclists around town, including Yours Truly, are preparing for the 2008 Tour de Pink, slated for September 7. They're getting up early in the morning to spin around the neighborhood; they're taking off in the afternoon to get in another long-distance ride. They're even giving up precious weekend time to give their under-exercised leg muscles a real workout. Clearly, raising money for the Pink Ribbons Project is a great motivator!

The Tour de Pink is a 12- to 100-mile family-friendly bike tour for cyclists of all levels. As in years past, participants will be raising money for the Pink Ribbons Project, an organization dedicated to breast cancer awareness, education, screening and follow-up care for medically underserved women and all those in the greater Houston area that have been touched by breast cancer.

The ride begins and ends on the campus of Prairie View A&M University. A post-ride event is planned to feature artists from the Houston and Prairie View areas. This event will also include a festival, complete with a catered meal for all cyclists

If all this sounds good and you want to register, call 713-524-PINK or visit www.tourdepink.org

To learn more about Pink Ribbons Project, visit www.pinkribbons.org.