While motorcycles have been heard for just over 20 years in Bradford during the Annual Kids and Cancer Benefit Run, this was the first year pedals followed in their stead raising funds on non-motorized bicycles.
Just Riding Along Bike Shop owner Pete Dzirkalis organized a companion ride to accompany the Kids and Cancer Benefit Run last weekend for cyclists willing to donate their own sweat to power their pedals. A total of 48 riders participated, raising just over $1,350 dollars.
Riders could choose between the novice ride or the advanced ride. The novice ride was a 10-mile course around Crookerhouse Lane on the McDowell Trail. The advanced ride was a 38-mile course around a very hill-covered route to Allegany State Park via Interstate Parkway and back, with 2,800 vertical feet of climbing through the park.
Riders were asked to donate money at the time they registered. Participants also received a food voucher for downtown restaurants upon registration.
Once registration was complete, all cyclists riding both the novice and advanced courses took part in the National Anthem and the Blessing of the Bikes. The cyclists then followed the motorcycles on a parade lap through the downtown Bradford area before setting off on their respective routes.
Food, refreshments and live music was available downtown after the ride. Despite the lower-than-hoped-for turnout — Dzirkalis was “hoping for 50-100 riders” — the event was a success.
Dzirkalis confirmed that “all in all, we had a great a ride and people had a lot of fun while raising funds for a great cause.”
The plans for a follow-up event next year are still under consideration, as Dzirkalis stated he is “still undecided about next year. If we do another event, we may make a few changes to make things run a bit smoother, or possibly have a separate event that starts and finishes at one location.”
He said, “We want to keep in the mind the safety of riders of all skill levels and abilities. The routes this year were chosen to provide options for different skill levels, and also for scenery and lack of heavy traffic. We are still undecided on routes and locations if we do another event.”
