Bluffton’s 7th annual Ride to Remember is “back in the saddle again.”
After a one-year virtual ride, this year’s event returns with an in-person ride on Saturday, July 10, or an independent ride on a biker’s own time and location, according to Ron Headings, Ride chair.
Start and finish is at Bluffton Family Recreation, 215 Snider Road, Bluffton. Click here for the Ride's website.
Here are details:
The 7th Annual Ride to Remember is held as an in person event or as an independent ride done on your own time at any location.
The in-person ride will take cyclists through the Village of Bluffton and the surrounding countryside. The first 150 registered riders will receive a cinch sack filled with items from local businesses, and a lunch coupon. A commemorative T-shirt will be offered for purchase during registration..
Additional details:
Register online. Registration may be done with your smart phone on the day of the event, but you may experience a delay. Register in advance and get the lower price.
No Mass Starts. Riders will start when they are ready. Riding together as a family is welcome.
Rest Stop Snacks. Riders will receive bottled water and packaged snacks.
Emergency Rider Pick-up. Support vehicles will be on the routes offering water and support. Riders requiring a pick-up will need to call for a ride.
All proceeds go to the Bluffton Lions Foundation Bike and Pedestrian Pathway. Within Bluffton, 4 miles of pathway and the Lions Trailhead Park have been funded. Another 6 miles are in the pathway master plan.
The Ride was created in memory of Ropp and Mary Emma Triplett who helped launch Bluffton's first pedestrian and bicycle path.
Riders will receive maps for route options ranging in distance from 10 miles to 37 miles to 63 miles with cut-offs at 23, 46 and 56 miles.
Routes are on scenic, flat, paved roads and feature points of interest such as the Bluffton University Nature Preserve and the villages of Rockport, Pandora, Gilboa, Benton Ridge, Rawson, Lafayette and Ada, as well the city of Ottawa.
Riders are encouraged to take photos and use the hashtag #BRTR2021 on social media during or at the end of the ride.
Photos can be shared on the Bluffton Ride to Remember Facebook page at facebook.com/RidetoRememberBlufftonOH and/or tag @RidetoRememberBlufftonOH.
The virtual Bluffton Ride to Remember offers 2 painted road loops and bikers may ride anywhere from 10 to 110 miles.
The Fun Loop is 10 miles. Great for young families and new cyclists. Portions use Bluffton’s bicycle paths.
The Ada Loop is 37 miles. A shorter, but slightly hillier ride through the villages of Lafayette and Ada, with a food stop on the Ohio Northern campus in Ada.
The Main Loop is the most scenic and is designed for recreational riders. The full loop is 63 miles. Cut-offs are provided at 23, 46 and 56 miles.
Registration details:
Individual: $20
Plus family adults: $15
Plus family 14 & under: $10
Per person after July 9: $30
Commemorative T-shirts will be available for purchase during registration with limited supply the day of the event.
Background on Ride to Remember
2015 marked the 25th anniversary of Bluffton's first bicycle path. To commemorate this occasion, the Bluffton’s Lions Foundation held the first Bluffton Ride to Remember to raise money for a new bicycle path.
Based on its success, the Bluffton Lions Foundation made it an annual event and it is now one of the Foundation's key fundraising events for additional bike paths. The community is behind the effort with several organizations and individuals contributing to the Ride.
“The inaugural ride in 2015 was very successful with 101 riders participating. Based on very favorable comments and continued support, we have grown that number each year,” said Headings.
2021 sponsors:
• Mercy Health
• Bike Crazy LLC
• Bluffton Area Chamber of Commerce
• Bluffton Family Recreation
• Bluffton Icon/Ada Icon
• Bluffton University
• Citizens National Bank
• Community Markets
• First National Bank
• GROB Systems
• Headings Arts
• Lewis Family McDonald's |
• PromoHits
• Shirley's Gourmet Popcorn Company
• Visit Findlay
The Bluffton Ride to Remember is a program of the Bluffton Lions Foundation, Inc. A 501(c)(3) charitable corporation.
