The 2013 Valley Preferred Wheels for Hope cycling tour Sept. 14 will raise funds for the fight against children's cancer.

The tour will start and finish at Valley Preferred Cycling Center, Trexlertown.

Beneficiaries are Angel 34 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.

Participants asked to raise a minimum of $150 in donations, plus a small registration fee.

Having raised about $34,000 in last year's event, Doug Sheriff, who heads the Nazareth-based Angel 34 Foundation, said at a July 11 press conference this year's goal is $75,000.

Each rider will receive a pre-ride dinner, sponsored by Macy's, the night before the event at Waterfalls, 5402 Chestnut St., Emmaus, a dinner at the finish of the ride provided by Dickey's BBQ, Allentown, and a package containing several keepsake items.

Riders can prepare for the ride by participating in the Angels in Training Program administered by Robert Fatz of Sports Performance of the Lehigh Valley Health Network.

The program focuses on cycling-specific flexibility, core strength and lung capacity.

Angel 34 Foundation was founded by Nicole Sheriff, 13, during her battle against cancer.

She 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 chemotherapy and radiation treatments.

A children's carnival at the cycling center following the cycling tour 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 Anheuiser 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, go to angel34.org.