Serving Boone, Blowing Rock, Banner Elk, and other towns of the North Carolina High Country | Founded 05-05-05

July 24, 2008 issue


Ride Along the Blue Ridge To Benefit Arthritis Foundation August 9


Story by Kristen Street

“No matter who you are,” said avid cyclist and arthritis advocate Lisa Adams, “everyone knows someone affected by arthritis.” To help raise funds to find the cure for arthritis and to improve the quality of life for those affected by arthritis, the second annual Ride Along the Blue Ridge bike fundraiser will be held on Saturday, August 9.

The event is not a race, but an untimed ride of 40, 60 or 80 miles. Riders will meet at the Lees-McRae Cannon Student Center between 7:30 and 10:00 a.m. for check-in. Newcomers pay a $50 registration fee and must raise at least $150. Return participants—those who rode last year—pay $25 for registration and must raise at least $175.

The ride, although lengthy, will be relatively easy for a mountain ride. The course includes some challenging hills, but riders do not have to be trained cyclists to participate. Adams’s son, who was 6 years old last year, participated in the 60-mile ride on a tandem bike. He hopes to do the same again this year.

Although riders will be surrounded by mountainous wilderness, plenty of support and gear stations will be available with restroom facilities, as well as safety relief vans to make sure everyone has a safe and enjoyable ride.

This event is a good opportunity to see the Blue Ridge in a new way: on two wheels instead of four. While the roads lack bike lanes, interest in cycling is on the rise in the High Country. The Ride Along the Blue Ridge is a good way to see what it’s all about, while raising money for a good cause at the same time.

A celebratory gathering after the ride will include a meal contributed by Papa’s Pizza and Subs. Each participant will receive an event T-shirt, and individuals raising more than $500 will also receive event jerseys. This year, the Cheerwine National Cycling Team and Orbea have donated a customized bike that one lucky rider will win. Every $200 a participant raises earns one chance to win the customized bike.

Proceeds from the fundraiser benefit the Arthritis Foundation for the Carolinas.
Arthritis affects people in all age groups, and in North Carolina alone almost 2 million people have doctor-diagnosed arthritis. “I can move fine now,” said Adams, “but I know there will come a day when I might not be able to, and I don’t want to just let that happen. You can take arthritis for granted or you can go get on your bike.”

Last year’s inaugural event was a success. Adams said. “We raised about $20,000 last year. This year I hope we can double that.”

For more info, including how to register, call Adams at 828-898-2418, or click to www.ridealongblueridge.kintera.org

Want To Go?

Date: Saturday, August 9
Time: 7:30 to 10:00 a.m. check-in
Location: Lees-McRae Cannon Student Center
Cost: $50 plus $150 in donations for newcomers/$25 plus $175 in donations for return participants