“Mike and The Bike” Activity Book
Uses Professional Cycling across Utah to Illustrate
Health and Wellness for Children
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH (May 17, 2014) – University of Utah Health Care has partnered with the Larry H. Miller Tour of Utah to promote childhood health and wellness. A new Activity Book was produced this month by the Tour of Utah and University of Utah Health Care, using the characters and illustrations from the popular “Mike and the Bike” series. The “Mike and the Bike” Activity Book was launched in May to correlate with National Bike Month.
The “Mike and the Bike” Activity Book incorporates illustrations of two young cyclists, Mike and his friend Lucille, with photography from the Tour of Utah professional cycling stage race, celebrating its 10th anniversary August 4-10, 2014. The Activity Book follows the two characters on a trip across Utah with interactive educational information and puzzles for children. There are seven lesson plans for elementary school-aged children in the 13-page book, including nutrition, fitness, geography and cycling.
“With help from the ‘Mike and the Bike’ Activity Book, thousands of Utah children will have the chance to participate as if they were riding in each of the seven stages of the Tour of Utah,” said David Entwistle, CEO, University of Utah Hospitals and Clinics. “They can explore our great state while learning how to enjoy a healthy lifestyle.”
The Tour of Utah and University of Utah Health Care have printed 50,000 copies of the “Mike and the Bike” Activity Book. These will be distributed to elementary schools located near each of the 12 host venues for the Tour of Utah. Additional books will be distributed to bicycle shops, recreation centers, and community cycling events across the state. A downloadable version (PDF format) is available at tourofutah.com.
During the Tour of Utah in August, University of Utah Health Care will offer copies of the “Mike and the Bike” Activity Book from the Tour of Utah Lifestyle Expo, found near the finish line of each day’s race. Many of the host venues will also hold youth bicycle races each day, compliments of University of Utah Health Care, called “Sprint to the Finish.” Children from ages six to 12 will be able to participate in activities along one section, start or finish, of each day’s professional race. In Evanston, Wyoming for the start of Stage Five, children who complete all the quizzes and puzzles in the “Mike and the Bike” Activity Book can present the book at a special tent for a Tour of Utah gift.
George Starks, Salt Lake City-based publisher of the “Mike and the Bike” series, assisted with the design of this Activity Book for 2014. Starks is currently in the process of creating new strategic partnerships and building additional storylines for “Mike and the Bike” as an online resource center for families across the U.S. Children and parents can visit mikeandthebike.com for additional family cycling tips and resources.
