Kerri Walsh Says She's 'All in' for the Tour de Pier

More than 300 stationary bikes will be set up on the Manhattan Beach Pier May 18 for the "Tour de Pier," which will help raise money for cancer research, volleyball Olympic gold medalist Kerri Walsh announced today.

"I love my community of Manhattan Beach. I hate cancer and anything I can do to support my community and to support the mission get rid of cancer, I'm all in," said Walsh Jennings, who said cancer has affected her life.

The three-time Olympic gold medalist was joined by beach volleyball Olympic gold medalist Eric Fonoimoana, Olympic cyclist Tony Cruz and U.S. Ocean Ironman champion Craig Hummer at the pier to encourage people to register for the event.

The fundraiser is set for 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. May 18.

Heath Gregory, a co-founder of the Tour de Pier, said the first event raised $339,000 for local charities.

"The format of it, is that you are very close to one another when you are riding and people start to talk to one another," Gregory said. "What we really found last year, is that it is really an opportunity for people to share their silent battles."

Gregory joined up with co-founder Jon Hirshberg, who started the first L.A. Cancer Challenge after the loss of his father. Gregory lost three family members in a year to brain, colon and blood cancer.

"I thought I was unique that I had three family members pass away in such a short period of time," Gregory said, "but then once you start talking to people, you start realizing so many people have been affected by this."

Jennings said she likes the setting on the pier and the opportunity to work out.

"You're outside," she said. "You're being fit and healthy. You're doing it as a family and as a community. It's just a win-win for everybody."

Learn more at http://www.tourdepier.com.

--City News Service