Media Contact:Lauren FallertVerde Brand Communicationslfallert@verdepr.com(970) 366-4579

BOULDER, Colo. (Aug. 11, 2015) -- PeopleForBikes awarded National Bike Challenge rider Kurt Searvogel with the Volkswagen Pit Stop Package for being the top rider at the halfway point of the National Bike Challenge. As of July 17, Searvogel logged a total of 17,253 miles on his bike —more than 200 miles a day—since the Challenge began on May 1.

The prize package awarded to Searvogel includes fitness recovery items that will help him maintain his streak of 200+ mile days for the remainder of the Challenge. The package includes: 

Searvogel is not only leading the Challenge, but is also approaching his personal goal of beating the highest annual mileage record (HAMR) for the most miles ridden in a year—that’s more than 75,000 miles, or 206 miles a day. As he notes on his website, tarzanrides.com, this record-breaking mileage total would take him three times around the world or 25 times across the U.S.

Searvogel is a computer scientist who owns his own company and re-discovered his love of sports with the help of his three children. He has since become a dedicated endurance cyclist and wants to encourage more people to get out and ride. His simple words of encouragement for other Challenge participants: “Bike as often as you can.”

“Anytime you have a choice—choose the road you haven’t taken before to see where it goes,” said Searvogel.

He also wants to prove the highest annual mileage record can be broken with the right equipment and plan, and that it can be done while preserving the rider’s health.

“Kurt is on the right track and well on his way to making history,” said President of PeopleForBikes Tim Blumenthal. “We thank Kurt, and everyone, for participating in the National Bike Challenge and pursuing ambitious, beneficial goals. 

The National Bike Challenge is a nationwide event that has engaged tens of thousands of bike riders—and encouraged countless new riders to participate. PeopleForBikes partnered with the Scott Naturals brand, a flagship brand of Kimberly-Clark, to grow the 2015 National Bike Challenge, which began in May and runs through September. 

Participants compete on the local, state and national level. The Challenge has already united more than 90,000 riders who have ridden more than 23 million miles in just three months, with 51 days remaining in the Challenge. 

To learn more about the National Bike Challenge, visit: https://nationalbikechallenge.org/

About PeopleForBikes

PeopleForBikes is making riding better for everyone by uniting millions of individuals, thousands of businesses and hundreds of communities. Join us at PeopleForBikes.org.

About Volkswagen of America, Inc.

Founded in 1955, Volkswagen of America, Inc., an operating unit of Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (VWoA) is headquartered in Herndon, Virginia. It is a subsidiary of Volkswagen AG, headquartered in Wolfsburg, Germany. VWoA’s operations in the United States include research and development, parts and vehicle processing, parts distribution centers, sales, marketing and service offices, financial service centers, and its state -of-the- art manufacturing facility in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The Volkswagen Group is one of the world's largest producers of passenger cars and Europe's largest automaker. VWoA sells the Beetle, Beetle Convertible, CC, Eos, e-Golf, Golf, Golf GTI, Golf R, Golf SportWagen, Jetta, Passat, Tiguan and Touareg vehicles through approximately 652 independent U.S. dealers. Visit Volkswagen of America online at www.vw.com or media.vw.com to learn more.