This past summer’s third-ever Ride to Remember bicycle ride, with 215 riders, generated approximately $4,272 for the Bluffton Pedestrian and Bike Pathway project, according to Richard Ramseyer.

With that total, the three-year event has generated almost $8,000 to the pathway project.

Richard Ramseyer of the Bluffton Lions Foundation, sponsor of the event, said that the enthusiasm from riders and the community is growing and that next year’s ride, should be even larger.

Among comments bikers provided in a feedback form about this year's ride include:
• Great event!
• Whatever you do - keep the weather as perfect as this year!
• Love the live music at the end!
• Love the signs
• The mass start was great
• Ride to Remember day was a wonderful experience

Ride stats:
2015: 101 riders, generated $1,600 to pathway program
2016: 150 riders, generated $3,000 to pathway program
2017:  215 riders (29 took 112-mile Triplett Challenge),
     generated $4,272 to pathway program

One of the ride’s features provides participants with downtown Bluffton restaurants coupons. The coupons, worth $8 per meal, generate traffic to downtown. Another feature provides free admission to the Bluffton Community Swimming Pool.

Sponsors
Sponsors of Ride to Remember are the Bluffton Lions Foundation, Inc., in cooperation Bluffton Family Recreation, CG Pro Bikes, Bluffton Area Chamber of Commerce, Hancock County Convention and Visitors Bureau, Bluffton Public Library, Ohio Logistics, and Black Swamp Bike Tours.

Bluffton’s ride includes riding loops from 2 miles all the way to over 100 miles. With the variety of route lengths, participants range from families looking for a great biking experience, to recreational riders and serious riders.

The committee set next year’s event for Saturday, July 14, 2018. Planning is already underway. Volunteers are welcome to assist in the event's planning. Persons interested may contact Ramseyer.

Ride to Remember background
The idea for a Bluffton bicycle event took hold four years ago when Bill Triplett, Bluffton native now of suburban Chicago, son of the late Ropp and Mary Em Triplett, proposed the idea of a bike ride to several Bluffton organizations. His parents helped launch Bluffton's first pedestrian and bicycle pat