On Sunday August 3rd, 2008 three Balance designers took to the hills of the Chagrin Valley for the First Annual Right Side of The Road Bike Tour (appropriately named ‘Hills of Fire’) to help raise money for ALS research.

President René Polin, Senior Designer Mike Tracz, and Cleveland Institute of Art student and intern James Park managed to brave the 25 mile bike tour under the hot Midwest sun. Of course, our intrepid riders didn’t realize the tour was actually mapped at just under 28 miles. Ill-prepared for a lengthy road ride with two mountain bikes and a single speed track bike, these gentlemen nonetheless successfully crossed the finish line and dove for the food tent with reckless abandon.

While recounting their ride, the boys looked with envy at the bevy of high-tech road bikes of carbon fiber and far less weight. Perhaps a few new bikes next year?

Balance supports worthy causes like ALS research, children’s cancer research, and The Special Olympics.

Originally posted August 6th, 2008