Milwaukee Childrens Choir Calls for UPAF Ride for the Arts Participants, Deadline Today, 5/2

Team MCC (Milwaukee Childrens Choir) invites locals to join their team for UPAF Ride for the Arts. Totaling over 263,000 participants since 1981, the UPAF Ride for the Arts, sponsored by Miller Lite, is regarded as one of the nation's largest one-day recreational bike rides. Help celebrate this annual summer event, which has generated more than $7.3 million for the United Performing Arts Fund (UPAF).

The ride is Sunday, June 3, 2012. It offers 5, 12, 25, 50 and 75-mile bike routes. After the Ride, participants can enjoy the Finish Line Party at the Briggs & Stratton Big Backyard Stage on the Summerfest Grounds. The party is free and includes live entertainment.

The Ride starts and finishes at the South Gate of the Summerfest Grounds, the intersection of Polk Street and Harbor Drive. The various routes travel past several Milwaukee landmarks and continue along the scenic shores of Lake Michigan through numerous Milwaukee-area communities and parks. This year's Ride will once again feature three routes (25, 50, 75-mile routes) that will go over the Daniel Hoan Memorial Bridge. For the first time, the 5-mile route will head through Lakeshore State Park, the first and only urban state park in Wisconsin.

To register for Team MMC, follow these instructions (deadline is TODAY May 2).

Click here to register. Select "I am an individual signing up as a member of a team." Select your team from the drop down box - "Milwaukee Children's Choir." Team password: teammcc2012. Select the number of riders you will register. Input personal rider information. You will be asked to create a login and password on this page. Fundraising is optional. Review/Edit your information, input payment information, and click Submit. A confirmation page will appear. Notice on the left-side navigation bar that you are now logged into your account. From here you can edit your homepage.

Regular rider fees (register now thru June 2): Adult: $45, Youth: $35, Family: $105

5-MILE FAMILY ROUTE: Riders roll through downtown Milwaukee and Veterans Park. New this year, the route will return through Lakeshore State Park. One Oasis Station.

12-MILE ROUTE: In 2011, the 12-mile route travelled west from the Summerfest grounds to Miller Park. In 2012, this route will be revamped completely.

25-MILE ROUTE: Initially traveling through the Historic Third Ward and lakeshore communities, riders are sure to enjoy this route as it continues through scenic Grant Park. Three Oasis Stations are located along this route.

25-MILE HOAN ROUTE: Travel south over the Hoan Bridge, exit at Carferry Drive and proceed along the normal 25-mile route to scenic Grant Park.

50-MILE ROUTE: Riding south over the Hoan Bridge, exit at Carferry Drive, take the big u-turn and go north over the Hoan before traveling along the scenic shores of Lake Michigan. The 50-mile route takes riders past some of the area's grandest and most historic homes in Shorewood, Whitefish Bay, Fox Point, Bayside and Mequon. Two Oasis Stations are situated along the route.

75-MILE ROUTE: Same intro as the 50-mile route. Get ready for the long haul as you set your wheels in motion for a tour of Milwaukee's lakefront. Following a similar course as the 50-mile route, you'll continue north to the city of Port Washington and return to Summerfest. On the return, riders will be treated to the Ozaukee Interurban Trail Bridge. Experienced riders only. This route also has three Oasis Stations.

These routes are subject to change.

Join us after the Ride for live entertainment including performances by local Milwaukee musicians and Member and Affiliate Groups of the United Performing Arts Fund. This year, muscial acts will include the LoveMonkeys, the Briggs Bluesbusters and Substitute. In addition, stop at the Children's Area and take part in an assortment of activities provided by Ride sponsors. Activities include an instrument petting zoo, jugglers, clowns, jesters and face painters.

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