NEWBURY PARK, CA (BRAIN)—Following the success of the first “Ride Like King Day” last May, Giant will once again honor its founder King Liu with a second annual running of the event.
On Friday, May 7, Giant employees from around the world—including staff from Giant Sales Companies to its engineering, product development, and manufacturing facilities—will participate in organized rides.
Ride Like King Day is both a celebration of King Liu’s passion for cycling and a chance for Giant employees from various nations, cultures and cycling backgrounds to show support for the activity that binds them. Last year’s events included everything from commuting to coffee-shop rides and off-road adventures.
After spending most of his life focusing on business, King Liu, now 76, reignited his interest in cycling three years ago when he completed a 927-kilometer ride around Taiwan, home to Giant headquarters.
Last May King embarked on his second major tour, an intense challenge in which he rode through China, from Beijing to Shanghai, in 20 days. At age 75, he averaged 80 kilometers per day and rode through 13 historical cities before finishing at Shanghai Stadium. Giant employees worldwide showed their support for King by organizing their own rides the day before King began his journey. It became known as Ride Like King Day.
After completing that ride through China, King stressed both the health and social benefits of cycling as an alternative to automobiles. “Many people travel in cars, with high speeds and closed windows,” he said. “But on bikes, people greet each other, building human relationships and gradually shaping a more peaceful society.”
King and Giant have played major roles in the effort to make the company’s home nation more conducive to cycling. In 2009 King was named a senior advisor to Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou. One of just 13 presidential advisors, King is instrumental in promoting government plans to enhance cycling opportunities.
These and other achievements led the U.S.-based cycling trade publication Bicycle Retailer and Industry News to name King “International Person of the Year” at the 2009 BRAINy Awards at the Bicycle Leadership Conference in Monterey for service to the industry and his commitment to build a cycling culture in Taiwan, which has truly been extraordinary.
It’s in that spirit that Giant employees from Asia, Europe, North America and Australia will once again hit the roads, paths and trails on May 7. Giant also invites all its retailers and consumers to organize their own rides.
At Giant’s U.S. location in Newbury Park, California, employees can take part in one or all of three groups rides: The infamous “Beer Loop” singletrack into the nearby Santa Monica mountains; a road ride through the streets of the town; and an easy, fun cruiser ride to a local Fresh and Easy market for drinks and snacks.
