This is the 11th year of the Music Therapy Ride and things are changing up a little. I received the following press release from organizers and noticed there is a new route. The start of the ride has moved from the River Rock Casino in Richmond to the Fraser Downs Racetrack & Casino and carries on to Harrison Hot Springs instead of Whistler. Register before August 1 and get the early bird rate of $99 per rider.

July 16, 2012, Vancouver, B.C. – The Music Therapy Ride Committee is honoured to present the 11th annual Music Therapy Ride on Saturday, September 8, 2012. This year’s ride will roll out to Harrison Hot Springs.

Established by members of the Vancouver music industry with representatives from booking agencies, radio stations, record labels, talent managers, concert promoters and recording artists, the Music Therapy Ride is a charity ride designed to raise funds for the community-based music therapy services in British Columbia.

Supporters of the Music Therapy Ride include The Vancouver Police Department’s Motorcycle Drill Team, who will escort the ride to Harrison Hot Springs; Fraser Downs Racetrack & Casino, who will provide a departure point and breakfast for all riders; Vancouver Ducati BMW; Carter Motorsports; Trev Deeley Harley Davidson; Urban Wasp; Great Canadian Gaming Corporation; and a host of generous community sponsors. Celebrity guests have included Chin Injeti, Colin James, Chantal Kreviazuk and Raine Maida, Ed Robertson of the Barenaked Ladies, Jann Arden, Brent Butt and many more.

As a result of ten years of dedication, support and generosity, the Music Therapy Ride has raised over $500,000 for the Canadian Music Therapy Trust Fund. Proceeds of this year’s ride will go to the launch of “Band Wagon 2” – a mobile recording studio that will tour various care facilities throughout the lower mainland.

The 11th annual Music Therapy Ride will take place on September 8, 2012. All motorcycles and cars will roll out from the Fraser Downs Racetrack & Casino at 9:30am and will be escorted by the VPD’s Motorcycle Drill Team to Harrison Hot Spring’s Lakeside Café, where a barbeque lunch and live auction will take place. Register as a rider before August 1st to receive an early bird rate of $99.00 per bike.

For information on how to register or to make a donation, visit www.musictherapyride.org