Contact: Dan Ohlson, 626-419-1489

ALBANY, NY, Aug. 16, 2013 /Christian Newswire/ -- Over 120 cyclists who are raising money to fight global poverty by riding their bicycles across the U.S and Canada will be coming through New York August 19-24.

The Sea to Sea 2013 Bike Tour is a nine-week, 3,900-mile cycling trek across North America designed to raise awareness and funds in support of those living in poverty around the world. The tour is sponsored by the Reformed Church in America, Partners Worldwide, and World Renew--the disaster relief arm of the Christian Reformed Church in North America.

The tour began June 24 in Los Angeles and will end August 24 in Staten Island. New York stops include: Ausable Chasm, Whitehall, Albany, Hyde Park, New City, Manhattan, and Staten Island.

The challenge includes nine weeks on the road, cycling an average of 68 miles per day, and resting only on Sundays. Each full distance rider is also required to raise at least $10,000 toward the cause.

To date the tour has raised $1.8 million that will benefit local, national and international agencies fighting poverty.

"We have been able to make a difference in fighting poverty, locally and abroad, before. But there is so much more to do. The needs today are greater," said Claire Elgersma, chair of the tour's steering committee.

Funds generated through the tour will be used to support the sponsoring agencies in their new or ongoing initiatives in the areas of business and community development, and will provide people around the world with access to clean water, immunizations, and other vital medical services. Additionally, 35 percent of the tour proceeds will be distributed to local programs that assist the poor.

For more information about Sea to Sea, go to www.seatosea.org.