Team Cline members cycle 800 miles for Breast Cancer Network of Strength

Bicycling 100 miles in the Mojave Desert for the Breast Cancer Network of Strength’s Ride to Empower is grueling enough, but Jim Heath-Pagliuso, a Davis resident, is taking the challenge further. On October 10, he’ll also ride his bike from Cline Cellars to Red Rock Canyon, Nevada to attend the century ride fundraiser this month. Andy Brechwald of Modesto, a long-time friend of Heath-Pagliuso’s, will be accompanying him on the entire journey.
All told, Heath-Pagliuso, 62, and Brechwald who will turn 61 during the ride, will peddle more than 800 miles on their excursion which they estimate will take 10 days.   
 An avid cyclist, this is Heath-Pagliuso’s second year in the fundraising ride.  He and his fellow cyclists hope to raise $4,000 as part of the Cline team.
“My motivation for last year’s ride was my mother in-law, who died of breast cancer about 18 years ago,” said Heath-Pagliuso. “Over the course of her treatment and eventual death we did not have an organization like Breast Cancer Network of Strength to get information and support for her or for the family. I believe we could have made her last months very different with better information about treatment, side effects and options.”
Network of Strength does not focus on raising money for research; instead the organization provides immediate emotional relief to anyone affected by a breast cancer diagnosis through its 24/7 Your Shoes Breast Cancer Support Center, which is staffed by survivors.
“When I rode last year in Solvang, I was truly taken by the number of survivors who participated – both the long-time survivors and those still in treatment,” said Heath-Pagliuso.  “There was so much positive energy and optimism that I wanted to be a part of it.”
After their ride over the Sierras and through Yosemite National Park, Heath-Pagliuso and Brechwald will be joining cyclists from all over the country to raise $400,000 for Ride to Empower, a destination bike ride in Red Rock Canyon, Nevada, near Las Vegas, October 22 – 25.
“My grandmother died from breast cancer when I was a young boy and my sister is a fortunate survivor of the disease,” says Brechwald.  “The medical profession can do amazing things, but it also requires a huge amount of emotional support to help someone through this time.  Network of Strength does this for all who need it.”                                            
There’s still time to register for the event.  Cyclists can choose from a range of ride distances from less than 32 miles to 100 miles, all with unforgettable majestic views through red colored sandstone formations that give Red Rock Canyon its name.
Heath-Pagliuso also credits Team Cline with its support of its riders and the Network of Strength. Team Cline includees wine club members, employees, family and friends. There are still a few spots available on the team. For those interested contact Charene Beltramo, cbeltramo@clinecellars.com.