New York, NY- June 11, 2006- Margaret Thatcher said, “Look at a day when you are supremely satisfied at the end. It’s not a day when you lounge doing nothing; it’s when you’ve had everything to do and you’ve done it."

On Sunday, June 11th, the Long Island Mansion Ride 5 for Autism, benefiting the non-profit Ascent School for Children with Autism, will surely have cyclists of all levels supremely satisfied. Celebrating its 5th Anniversary, The Mansion Ride’s Rest Areas are at famous Public Mansions on Long Island’s Gold Coast, through rolling hills and tree-lined streets. Rest areas include Old Westbury Gardens, Cedarmere, The Webb Institute of Naval Architecture, The Long Island Science Museum at Leeds Pond, and the newly announced, Sands Point Preserve. Once homes to the rich and powerful first settlers to Long Island’s North Shore, this Sunday the public mansions continue their esteemed role in society by helping children in need. The Mansions are also offering such additional treats to the riders as a BATTLE OF THE DINOSAURS exhibit (hosted by the Sands Point Preserve) and a CLASSIC ANTIQUE AND CAR SHOW (Hosted by Old Westbury Gardens).

Linda Finkel, Mansion Ride co-Chair, commented, “This year we hope to tip the scales past a quarter of a million dollars in total donations since the inception of the ride. All the proceeds are donated to the charity. We are able to accomplish this through 100% volunteerism, and participation from local businesses. It takes a lot of food to feed an estimated 1000 riders through a 62-mile hilly journey, and we get it all donated. Just like the ride, we get a little from a lot of people and synergy takes over from there.

We ask that our riders give $35 to participate and many choose to raise additional funds for the cause. We ask local businesses to provide us with 500 drinks and they give 1000. People want to do good, and we make it easy for them to be able to.” 

Co-chair Elaine Del Valle-Eskanazy added these words, “What Mansion Riders have helped achieve through the Ascent Children?...Julia is in her own school district learning with her peers. Jake is potty trained. Max can read and write.  Conor started job training at a restaurant. Aaron can do math and in 2005 transitioned into a full-day regular district program. Conor is playing with his brothers, and enjoying sports.  Megan is dressing herself.  Robert can shower by himself, and is transitioning to his regular school district.  Armando is speaking in sentences, and in 2006 was a featured artist at a NY gallery.  Sarah started 1st grade in her regular school district. Abby is making eye contact, and what better salute to Mansion Riders than this fact, Dan is able to ride his bike.”

Autism affects 1 in every 166 births and most children with Autism are placed in group homes or institutions before reaching the age of 13.  The Ascent School for Children with Autism mission is to provide research-based education and life enhancing services to individuals with autism and their families, while enabling them to lead more productive and independent lives.

The Mansion Riders will take-off at 7:45am. Registration is $35.00, and riders get free Mansion Ride T-shirts. Non-Riders can support the cause by making a Support-A-Rider Donation, or purchasing an Official Mansion Ride Cycling Jersey…All Available on-line at www.MansionRide.com. Participants can choose from easy or challenging routes of 25, 50 or 62 miles. Each rest stop will feature all donated food and drink products from numerous corporate suppliers, which include Bachman’s, Trader Joe’s, Stop and Shop, Tavlin, Powerade, Yorkshire Foods, Subway, Nathan’s Famous, Kitchen Kabaret, Snyder’s, Gatorade, Propel Fitness Water, King Kullen, Natural Organics, Spirutein Bars, Bernard’s Market and Cafe and more. Other corporate sponsors include Tower Insurance, Morstan General Agency, North Fork Bank, Lancer Insurance and the Paragon Group.

For complete details on how to contribute funds or participate in the ride, visit HYPERLINK "http://www.mansionride.com" www.mansionride.com.