A homestyle bicycle tour has been set for the 2013 Valley Preferred Wheels for Hope event to raise funds for the fight against children's cancer.

The tour will take place Sept. 14, starting and finishing at the Valley Preferred Cycling Center in Trexlertown.

The two beneficiaries will be Angel34 Foundation and Children's Hospital at the Lehigh Valley Hospital's hematology and oncology department.

Riders can choose from two scenic routes that wind through Lehigh and Berks counties, with opportunities to ride 27 miles, 42 miles or combine routes to complete a 100-mile century ride.

Participating riders are being asked to raise a minimum of $150 in donations plus a small registration fee, with funds designated to fight children's cancer. Having raised about $34,000 in last year's event, Sheriff said this year's fund goal is $75,000.

Along with participation in a highly organized and safety-monitored distance ride, each rider will receive a pre-ride dinner the night before the event at Waterfalls, 5402 Chestnut St. (Route 100), Emmaus, sponsored by Macy's and a dinner at the finish of the ride provided by Dickey's BBQ of Allentown, as well as a package containing several keepsake items.

Riders this year can prepare for the ride by participating in the Angels in Training Program being administered by Robert Fatz of Sports Performance of the Lehigh Valley Health Network. The program will focus on cycling-specific flexibility, core strength and lung capacity.

Angel34 Foundation, based in Nazareth was founded by 13-year-old Nicole Sheriff during her own battle with cancer. Nicole established the foundation to provide ICEE machines to children's hospitals across the United States. ICEE cool drinks provide relief to children battling cancer and helps offset the side effects from chemo and radiation treatments.

A children's carnival at the center following the event will provide an additional draw for those who want to support the event, but are not participating in the cycling portion of the day.

An additional draw for the children's carnival, Sheriff said, will be an appearance by a team of Clydesdale horses from Anheuser-Busch brewing company. The Clydesdales have been a marketing feature of the brewer for decades and have appeared in numerous television commercials.

For more information about the event, visit Angel34 Foundation's website at www.angel34.org.