Sonoma County bike ride raises over $550,000 to fight Parkinson’s disease

More than 475 bicyclists took to the backroads of Sonoma County on Saturday in the inaugural Tour de Fox Wine Country, a charity ride to support the search for a cure to Parkinson’s disease.

The ride raised more than $550,000 for the Michael J. Fox Foundation, said organizer Rick Tigner, president of Santa Rosa-based Jackson Family Wines.

“It was a terrific day,” Tigner said. “It really shows the support of Sonoma County.”

Santa Rosa cyclist Levi Leipheimer, left, and former Giants slugger Barry Bonds were among the celebrities who participated in the ride, which offered four routes ranging from 10 miles to 82 miles.

Cory Jones, national sales director for Jackson Family Wines, was the top fundraiser among registered riders, raising $30,190 in donations, according to the Michael J. Fox Foundation website.

The benefit ride was personal for Tigner, whose wife, Wendy, was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2006. When asked whether he planned to bring the event back to Sonoma County in 2016, Tigner suggested Saturday’s ride would not be the last.

“Why wouldn’t I? It has been so successful,” he said.