Nissan Teams Up With Levi Leipheimer's King Ridge GranFondo Event

SANTA ROSA, CA-- Sept. 26, 2011: As part of the Innovation for Endurance program, Nissan is proud to return for the second year as the official automotive sponsor of Levi Leipheimer's King Ridge GranFondo, a long distance, charity cycling event. The zero-emission Nissan LEAF will be at the Nissan Innovation for Endurance footprint Finley Center during registration on Sept. 30 and for the ride on Oct. 1.

The Levi Leipheimer King Ridge GranFondo, expected to include about 7,500 riders, is a charity event designed to effect change at a local level. Ride beneficiaries include Forget Me Not Farm, LIVESTRONG, and VeloStreet's Community Giving and Cycling Initiatives Programs.

Fresh off this summer's Tour De France with Team RadioShack, Levi Leipheimer, professional cyclist, Olympic medalist, National Champion and three-time winner of the Tour of California, is one of the five innovators in the Nissan Innovation for Endurance program. Leipheimer will make an appearance at the Nissan booth for a meet-and-greet and autograph session from 3:00 PM -- 4:30 PM on Sept. 30 and will join the ride the following day.

At the interactive display, Nissan will invite spectators to learn more about electric vehicles, participate in a bike challenge, design a t-shirt and check out the 100-percent electric Nissan LEAF. The Innovation for Endurance program connects Nissan and its "World Car of the Year" with a series of high profile running and cycling events nationwide. The program aims to help athletes take their performance to a new level through health and fitness "Innovators" who offer state-of-the-art tips on the "Innovation for Endurance" Facebook page.

About King Ridge GranFondo

Levi Leipheimer's King Ridge GranFondo is a fully supported bicycle ride with 35, 65, and 103-mile route options through some of the finest cycling country in the USA. The range of riders is recreational to professional, and the pace varies from leisurely to very fast. The ride is organized with the collaboration and support of the City of Santa Rosa as well as communities and fire departments around Sonoma County. More information on the King Ridge GranFondo can be found at Levis GranFondo .