Providing service through cycling

Rotary clubs in Caldwell County will join forces to make a difference in the county by offering a cycling event for the second straight year,

The Lenoir and Caldwell County Rotary clubs once again will sponsor the Cycle to Serve Bicycle Challenge, with proceeds from the event benefiting Caldwell County Pathways, an organization dedicated to walking parks and trails throughout the county.

“We're hoping this is going to be an event that grows and becomes a major fund-raiser for us,” Lenoir Rotary President Dent Sullivan said. “It's basically to help the local community with local projects.”

The inaugural event in 2007 drew more than 150 riders and raised money to benefit Healthy Caldwellians. The Rotarians choose a different nonprofit organization to benefit with proceeds from the ride.

The event is scheduled for Saturday, May 10, starting in downtown Lenoir at the Hogwaller Plaza and stretching a length of 63 miles, making a loop that returns riders to the starting point in the downtown area.

“We expect this to grow and be even more successful,” Sullivan said. “We're expecting even more riders this year.”

The course, which will take riders on lightly-traveled, two-lane rural roads, has approximately 15 hills and a total elevation increase of about 3,400 feet, taking them through mountain valleys in the Zacks Fork, Happy Valley and Elk Creek/Darby areas.

There also will be a 40-mile loop for those riders wanting a shorter, less challenging ride as well as a nine-mile ride suitable for families.

North Carolina Highway Patrol motorcycle units will escort riders along the route, and Lenoir Police Department will close streets in the downtown area to accommodate the riders.

There will be three aid stations and 20 marshals along the route, and vehicles will be available to help any riders who may have physical or mechanical problems.

A free lunch for all riders will be provided Saturday from 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

Saturday's ride is the culmination of two days worth of events. There will be a number of activities for people to participate in Friday, May 9 starting at 5 p.m. in downtown Lenoir.

Rider registration will last from 5:30-8 p.m. Friday with a barbecue benefit dinner from 6-7 p.m. The dinner is open to the public, and the meal - with food donated by Sledgehammer Charlie's - will cost $6.

The band Shades of Blue will perform from 7-9 p.m. on the Hogwaller Stage.

Registration for the ride continues Saturday at 6 a.m.

For more information, visit the Web site at www.cycletoserve.com, contact Bob Giduz at giduzr@bellsouth.net or call 828-758-1626.

Printer Friendly Version

E-mail this story to friend