Thousands of Cyclists will Pedal to Shiner, Texas for 8th Annual Shiner B.A.S.H.; Annual pilgrimage set for May 6 will benefit the Lance Armstrong Foundation.

SHINER, Texas -- Taking cyclists through small Texas towns, historical landmarks and scenic byways, the 8th annual Shiner B.A.S.H. - Bike-Austin-San Antonio-Houston - is set for May 6. Thousands of riders will participate in the home-grown event, departing simultaneously from Austin, San Antonio and Houston for a 90-mile ride to Shiner, TX - home to the historic Spoetzl Brewery. For the less seasoned cyclists, Shiner B.A.S.H. has added a new 10-mile ride around the city of Shiner.

Sponsored by the Spoetzl Brewery and presented by the Shiner Chamber of Commerce, Shiner B.A.S.H. has landed two new partners this year to make the ride even bigger and better than before - the Lance Armstrong Foundation (LAF) and OP3. Serving as the key beneficiary, the Lance Armstrong Foundation (LAF) is an organization dedicated to inspiring and empowering people affected by cancer. Event specialists, OP3 has been organizing cycling events for more than a decade, and will focus on improving routes and polishing finish line logistics for the riders.

"Shiner Beers and the Spoetzl Brewery are proud to welcome the LAF and OP3 to the Shiner B.A.S.H. team," said Shamus Hanlon, Shiner's Brand Group Director of Marketing. "With the help of our experienced partners we hope to build on the success we've enjoyed and take this unique Texas event to the next level."

Attracting more than 3,000 riders last year, Shiner B.A.S.H. raised sizeable funds for the benefiting organization. Making significant improvements to the event this year, Shiner looks forward to making a considerable contribution to the LAF in support of its mission.

"On behalf of all of us at the Lance Armstrong Foundation, I am thrilled that we have been chosen as the beneficiary for this cycling event that is unique to Texas," said Mitch Stoller, president and chief executive officer of the Lance Armstrong Foundation. "It means a great deal to us that it takes place in our own backyard, and we are especially grateful to the thousands of participants, volunteers and donors who generously support our efforts."

Riders will tune up their bikes and get ready for this one-of-a-kind Texas cycling event at start lines in Austin, San Antonio and Houston. The 90-mile trek will kick off at 7 a.m. sharp at the following start line locations:

Austin:        The Met Center at Highway 71 and 183
         San Antonio:   TBD
         Houston:       Katy Mills Mall
         Shiner:        Green Dickson Park

Finish Line Festivities! Once in Shiner, the party will roll into high gear at Green Dickson Park. Cyclists will receive a big Shiner welcome with a live, outdoor music celebration featuring premiere Texas Americana artists Gary Allan, Randy Rogers Band, Reckless Kelly, Jason Boland and the Stragglers and Darryl Lee Rush. Plenty of food, first-class massages to soften sore muscles, hot showers, brewery tours and cold beer will be waiting for riders. Luxury chartered buses will be provided to shuttle cyclists back to their starting city.

Cyclists and spectators can register online at www.shinerbash.com. Online registration is $45 through April 21 and $50 after this date. Return bus transportation is available to riders for an additional $25 -- please note riders must sign up when registering. Tickets for post-ride festivities are open to non-riders for $20. (Admission is free with bike registration.)

About Spoetzl Brewery

The Spoetzl Brewery is the oldest independent brewery(R) in Texas and boasts a world-class, award-winning reputation. The historic "little brewery" offers four year-round brews and two very popular seasonal beers. The Spoetzl Brewery brews Shiner Bock(R), an American-style Bock beer that is Texas' #1 selling Specialty beer and the nation's #4 selling Specialty beer; Shiner Blonde, a Bohemian-inspired natural golden lager brewed from the original Shiner recipe just as it was in 1909; Shiner Hefeweizen, a bottle and keg-conditioned, unfiltered Bavarian-style wheat beer brewed with orange and lemon peels and pure Texas clover honey; Shiner Dunkelweizen, a Bavarian-style dark wheat winter seasonal beer and Shiner's most critically acclaimed brew; Shiner Kolsch, a German-style Kolsch summer seasonal bier; and Shiner Light, a full-flavored amber light beer. During the past two years, Shiner beers have won 13 awards at major worldwide beer competitions, including the Great American Beer Festival and the World Beer Cup. For more information on the Spoetzl Brewery or the Shiner family of beers, please visit the brewery on the Web site at www.shiner.com, or call the toll-free hotline at 1-800-5-SHINER.

About Lance Armstrong Foundation

The Lance Armstrong Foundation (LAF) inspires and empowers people affected by cancer. We help people with cancer focus on living; we believe that unity is strength, knowledge is power and attitude is everything. From the moment of diagnosis, the LAF provides the practical information and tools people with cancer need to live life on their own terms. The LAF serves its mission through advocacy, public health and research. Founded in 1997 by cancer survivor and champion cyclist Lance Armstrong, the LAF is located in Austin, Texas. For more information, visit livestrong.org.