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Katie Spotz Bicycle Donation

In late August of 2010, the Cleveland cycling community was disheartened to learn that Katie Spotz, the Mentor, Ohio native who has become an international celebrity for her athletic and philanthropic achievements, was the victim of a robbery. Katie's 2000 Dodge minivan was stolen from a Cleveland parking lot. The van was recovered by police a week later, but the loss of the contents was even greater.

Inside the van was her Giant OCR Composite 2 bicycle, which she purchased from Century Cycles back in 2006 and used on a cross-country ride to honor her grandmother who had recently passed away, and raise awareness for lung disease. Also in the van were a custom made set of oars worth $2000, which Katie used in early 2010 for a record-setting solo row across the Atlantic Ocean to raise money and awareness for clean water projects around the world.

After hearing about Katie's unfortunate situation, Century Cycles, the Chagrin Valley Rotary Club, and Giant Bicycles teamed up to donate a bicycle to Katie that will be worthy of her next adventure! At our Rocky River store on Sept. 15, 2010, Katie was presented with a brand new 2011 Giant Defy Advanced 1 bicycle!

L-R: Scott Cowan, owner of Century Cycles; Katie Spotz;
members of the Chagrin Valley Rotary Club: Lori O'Neill, Jeff Griff, and club president Gary Pinkerton

You can follow Katie Spotz on Facebook to learn about her next adventure on her new bicycle (which she has nicknamed Phoenix)!

Event Photos

Press Release

September 15, 2010 - Katie Spotz rides again! Chagrin Valley Rotary Club, Century Cycles, Giant Bicycles Donate New Bike to World Class Athlete/Philanthropist After Theft

In The News

Plain Dealer: Rotary, bike shop replace adventurer's stolen cycle - September 15, 2010
WKYC-TV3: Local Record-Setter Surprised with New Bike - September 15, 2010
Plain Dealer: Cheers & Jeers - September 17, 2010
West Shore Sun: Rotary, bike shops team up - September 23, 2010

National television coverage of the Katie Spotz Row for Water:
CBS Evening News with Katie Couric: 22-Year-Old Makes Rowing History - March 18, 2010
Anderson Cooper 360: Woman rows across Atlantic - March 19, 2010

Links

Katie Spotz Row for Water web site: www.rowforwater.com

Link to this page with this url: www.centurycycles.com/for/KatieSpotz