For Dave Kause, Mike Kelly and the Zenn bicycling team, there’s more to a race than crossing the finish line. Their rides are about making a positive difference in the lives of children. The Zenn Bicycling Team is riding to raise public awareness and funds to support Shriners Hospitals for Children in its mission to provide the specialized pediatric care to children with orthopedic conditions, spinal cord injuries and burns. The team’s first race was the Cal Aggie Criterium in Sacramento’s Land Park on Jan. 12, 2008.

“I wanted to get my own cycling team together, and I wanted to give something back to the community,” says Dave Kause. He and fellow rider, Mike Kelly, found an ideal match with Shriners Hospitals for Children. “Our mission is to get the message out to people about Shriners Hospitals for Children – its specialized pediatric care and the unique programs that transform the lives of children,” says Kause.

Thanks to the support of Zenn Motor Co., and bicycle frame maker, BMC, the Zenn racers are sporting a team jersey with the Shriners Hospital logo in races throughout 2008. In addition to the Cal Aggie Criterium in January, the Zenn team is scheduled to ride in the Nevada City Classic and Giro de San Francisco.

Riding for Shriners Hospitals are Dave Kause, Scott Fonseca, Mike Kelly, Rich Mader, Fred Ramos, Kevin Speacht and Rich Thurman.

Shriners Hospitals for Children is a one-of-a-kind international health care system of 22 hospitals dedicated to improving the lives of children by providing specialty pediatric care, innovative research and outstanding teaching programs. Children up to the age of 18 with orthopaedic conditions, burns, spinal cord injuries and cleft lip and palate are eligible for admission and receive all care in a family-centered environment at no charge – regardless of financial need.

Shriners Hospitals for Children Northern California is located just minutes from downtown Sacramento at 2425 Stockton Boulevard. For more information, call (916) 453-2000 or go online to www.shrinershospitals.org.

For information about team cyling go to www.usacycling.org.