Bike for Hope

Fifth Annual ATG Bike-a-Thon in Armenia and Artsakh

Official Press Release

June 15^th, 2007

ATG is excited to announce that its fifth annual Bike For Hope Charity fundraising Bike-a-Thon through Armenia and Artsakh that will take place from June 21^st to 28^th, 2007. This year, ten cyclists from the US will be joined by others from Armenia and elsewhere to bike over 500 miles through the Armenian countryside. These cyclists are energized by their sincere devotion to the revitalization of rural Armenia, and they are volunteering their own time and money to participate in this ride. As in previous years, the ride will raise funds for programs that create new job opportunities for Armenian farmers and their families, help increase their productivity and generate more income for them.

This year our goal is to raise enough funds to purchase three "No-Till" farming planters that will be made available to the seed farmers in Armenia. Each machine costs approximately $35,000. With "No-Till" farming technology, a farmer can perform several farming functions simultaneously, thereby saving fuel, time and use of equipment. Other benefits of No-Till farming, as described by experts, include:

1. Economically Sound: reduces farm operation and production cost by as much as 70%!
2. Agriculturally Superior: preserves moisture in the soil, and implement sound crop production system.
3. Environmentally Safer: reduces soil erosion and air pollution.

The Bike-a-Thon also has other long-term goals: to bring attention to the hard work of local private farmers, and to promote ecotourism in the Armenian countryside. On their way through the scenic landscape of Armenia and Artsakh, the riders will stop to tour historic monasteries and museums, sample wine from local vineyards, make strong personal connections with local residents and rely on traditional Armenian hospitality during the course of the ride. Media coverage will highlight both the riders on their way across the scenic landscape and the local farmers who will benefit from the funds raised.

We at Bike for Hope are confident that this ride will build on the efforts of the previous Bike-a-Thons to help the rural population of Armenia and Artsakh and to replace hunger and poverty with sustainable economic development programs. You may visit www.BikeforHope.com to view the itinerary and enjoy some pictures that the cyclists have taken during previous Bike-a-Thons.

For more information about participating in Bike-A-Thon V or to help financially, please visit the Armenian Technology Group website at: www.atgusa.org or call (559) 224-1000.