SANTA MONICA — For the first time, the Cycle Against Denial bike-a-thon hosted by the Armenian Youth Federation San Fernando Valley “Sardarabad” Chapter will be held in the city of Santa Monica on April 10.

The Cycle Against Denial is an annual bike rally to commemorate the Armenian Genocide and to raise awareness against all genocides. The bike rally usually takes place in the San Fernando Valley and starts from the Holy Martyrs Armenian Apostolic Church in Encino but for the first time, the “Sardarabad” Chapter decided to branch out and bring something new to this annual event.

“We feel that we needed to change an aspect of this great event and thought that taking the bike rally to Santa Monica would bring more exposure to our cause, especially since the location is near the Santa Monica Pier,” said Arek Soulahian, Cycle Against Denial Committee Co-Chairperson. “From the new location, there will be a great deal of people that will get to see the cyclists participating in the event and learn why we work so hard to spread awareness and genocide recognition,” added Soulahian.

The location where the registration table will be set up and the bike rally will begin is at 1640 Appian Way, Santa Monica, California 90401.

Registration will begin at 11 a.m. at the location mentioned above. It will be free and includes a t-shirt. The ride will begin approximately at 1 p.m.

Participants are encouraged to bring their own bikes but there will be bike rental locations close by where participants will be able to pay and rent bikes for the event.

The bike rental locations close to the registration table are the following:

Sea Mist Rentals, 1619 Ocean Front Walk, Santa Monica, CA 90401
Santa Monica Bike Center, 1555 2nd St, Santa Monica, CA 90401
Breeze BikeShare, located at Palisades Park.

Please join us in commemorating the 101st Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide.

The event is open to all ages. For any questions, please email cycleagainstdenial@gmail.com or visit the Facebook Event page https://www.facebook.com/events/786236234853740/.

Founded in 1933, the Armenian Youth Federation is the largest and most influential Armenian American youth organization in the world, working to advance the social, political, educational and cultural awareness of Armenian youth.