This year’s Ride to Remember bike ride is this weekend. And, there's still an opportunity for Icon views to participate. Don't worry about your biking expertise. There's a route that fits your skill level.
Last year’s inaugural ride attracted 100 bikers to Bluffton. This year hopes to have more riders, plus activities for the community.
Here’s the plan:
• An 8 a.m. mass start takes place at Bluffton Family Recreation on Snider Road. The mass start includes a “parade” of riders southbound on Main Street to the Dairy Freeze where various routes split.
• Many of the bikers will return to the Bluffton Community Swimming Pool from their rides between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.
• The Dough Hook will grill sandwiches and offer lunch at the Bluffton Community Swimming Pool from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The lunch is open to the public in addition to the bikers.
• Jim Boedicker, who performs each month at the Bluffton Famers’ Market, will perform at the swimming pool from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• The Ride to Remember committee invites community groups interested in setting up activities on July 16 at the swimming pool area to join in. Contact Fred Steiner at [email protected] for details.
“We are open to any ideas from community groups,” he said. “We’d like to turn the day into a fun time for the community.”
Several bike routes available
Bikers may chose one of the various bike routes this year. Routes range from a two-mile around town route all the way to a 100-route for serious bikers.
The ride is a fund-raiser for the Bluffton Bike and Pedestrian Pathway Committee. The organization has constructed one Bluffton bike path and is working on additional paths, to eventually encircle the northwestern Ohio village.
Costs for the ride are $25 for individuals. Family members ride for $25 for the first member, $20 for the second and $10 for each additional member.
Registration includes snacks at rest stops and finish, roaming repair van and rider pick-up service, pass to Bluffton Community Swimming Pool, shower at BFR and coupon for up to $8 off at Bluffton restaurants.
Sign-in and registration opens at 6 a.m.. Routes open at 6:30 a.m. An optional mass start is at 8 a.m. Routes close at 4 p.m.
Registrations are being accepted at www.ridetoremember.net. A ride flyer is in an attachment at the bottom of this story.
