Heartland Rehabilitation Hosts Practice Ride For Biking's MS 150

Massages, biking and fitness assessments, water and services available at Aug. 18 Bike Ride in Jacksonville, FL area.

Jacksonville, FL (PRWEB) August 14, 2007 -- Heartland Rehabilitation Services, in conjunction with About Bicycles, is hosting what could be the last hosted practice ride for bicyclists getting ready to ride in September's MS 150, a two-day bike ride of 150 miles that raises money for Multiple Sclerosis.

More than 200 bicyclists are expected to take part in the August 18 practice ride, which starts at Heartland Rehabilitation's Orange Park clinic at about 7 a.m. Riders have a choice of riding the 35 mile or 50 mile practice course, which uses Penney Farm as the turnaround.

We want to encourage people to prepare their bikes and their fitness in advance of the MS 150 so they will have a fun ride

Those planning on riding in September 29 & 30th's "Cycle to the Shore" MS 150 ride are encouraged to attend. Heartland physical therapists, certified athletic trainers, and experts from About Bicycles will be on hand to offer free bike fittings, fitness evaluations, and training tips.

"We want to encourage people to prepare their bikes and their fitness in advance of the MS 150 so they will have a fun ride," said Ward Daron, physical therapist of Heartland Rehabilitation Services.

"Unfortunately, a lot of people entering the MS 150 think it's no big effort to ride 150 miles - only to find out differently," said Jose Medina, liaison for the practice ride. "This ride allows people to test their level of fitness in a non-threatening environment but where there is also support."

Physical therapists, bike experts and some 50 volunteers will be available before and after the race to help riders assess injures and equipment, Medina said.

"The two major problems people tend to have are bicycle fit and their level of fitness," he said. "You'd be surprised at the poor condition of the bikes they show up with. I've even had people show up with bikes that don't have air in the tires."

Heartland Rehabilitation's Orange Park clinic is located at 541 Kingsley Road, Orange Park, FL 32073. For more information about the practice ride, visit About Bicycle's web site at http://aboutbicyclesop.tripod.com.

About Heartland Rehabilitation Services
Heartland Rehabilitation Services is a leader in providing unique, rehabilitative therapies in a patient-friendly setting. Heartland offers a variety of services at many of its free-standing clinics including aquatic, occupational and traditional physical therapy, speech therapy, massage therapy, Pilates and Pilates-based rehabilitation. In Florida, Heartland Rehabilitation has 12 clinics in Jacksonville, four in Orange Park, one each in St. Augustine, Fernandina Beach, and Middleburg. There are six clinics in Central Florida, including clinics in the greater Gainesville area, and in Columbia and Suwannee Counties.

Manor Care, Inc., through its operating group HCR Manor Care, is a leading provider of short-term post-acute and long-term care. The company's nearly 60,000 employees provide high-quality care for patients and residents through a network of more than 500 skilled nursing centers, assisted living facilities, outpatient rehabilitation clinics, and hospice and home health care agencies. Alliances and other ventures supply high-quality pharmaceutical products and management services for professional organizations. The company operates primarily under the respected Heartland, ManorCare Health Services and Arden Courts names. Manor Care is committed to being the preeminent care provider in the industry. Shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol HCR.

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