David Pauff of Lima starts his early morning ride with Team Roadrunners at the Rally Point River Ride in June 2020.
Amanda Wilson | The Lima News (File)
SHAWNEE TOWNSHIP — The 14th Annual River Ride bicycle tour set to take place Saturday at Heritage Park will be a fundraiser for City Life at Rally Point Youth Center, a non-profit youth ministry of Youth for Christ of Northwest Ohio. Registration proceeds will go to the organization’s general budget to help them continue delivering biblically centered guidance and support services to Lima youth.
For 50- and 62.5-mile riders, the recommended start time is between 6:30 a.m. and 9 a.m., whereas 20-mile riders should begin between 9 a.m. and 11 a.m., and the 10-mile riders should begin at 10 a.m.
Participants pay an entry fee of $35 for individuals or $80 for families with up to five riders. The fees help to support the Rally Point Youth Center. Alternatively, a rider can opt to raise at least $100 in sponsorship money in lieu of paying the entry fee.
With 62.5 miles of well-marked and maintained paved roadways over flat terrain, River Ride should be a fun and safe event for young and old participants. Interested individuals can register on the day of the event to participate.
According to Jared Diller, Executive Director of Northwest Ohio Youth for Christ and chair of the River Ride, the event is expected to highlight Allen County’s parks and bike paths, and this year’s turnout is expected to exceed last year’s turnout of 235 riders, with an anticipated 250 to 300 riders. Planning begins at least six months ahead of time, including sharing the plan of action with the city to get a special use permit. Part of that planning involves stationing people at potentially dangerous intersections to protect the safety of the riders.
“It’s a lot of fun and it’s a healthy recreational activity that you can do with loved ones,” said Diller, who completed the 20-mile ride in the past with his kids.
“The Lima area community support behind the River Ride has been incredible. It’s grown over 14 years because people see the value of the Rally Point Youth Center, which has been in existence since January 2006. Year after year, they have supported the Ride and cheered us on,” Diller said.
There are four route options. The first is for families. The second is for weekend bikers. The third and fourth routes are for seasoned riders. The furthest distance away seasoned riders reach is Grand Lake St. Marys before riding back to Heritage Park.
Riders will enjoy refreshment stops. Lunch will be held at Heritage Park after the ride and will be catered by Cracker Barrel. The lunch menu will include chicken tenders, macaroni and cheese and salad. Cookies and sweets will be provided by Sara’s Sweets. Accompanying the lunch will be live jazz music featuring saxophonist Chuck Summers. Each rider will also receive a $20 off coupon for a massage at Perennial Glow Spa in Lima.
A total of 53 local sponsors donated money or in-kind gifts of equal value this year to support the event, including 13 Level 1 sponsors ($1,000 each), 15 Level 2 sponsors ($500), 15 Level 3 sponsors ($250) and 10 Level 4 sponsors ($150).
Typically, the event raises over $20,000 annually to support the organization.
Companies or individuals interested in sponsoring next year’s River Ride can contact the Rally Point Youth Center by calling 419-229-4444.
For more information about the event, visit rallyup.org.
