Recreation

Ride of the Century

bicyclists gather to pedal 100 miles for good causes

Rebecca Mennecke |

Get ready, get set, and go to the Chippewa Valley Century Ride on Sunday, May 26. This bike ride begins and ends in Irvine Park in Chippewa Falls, and will feature 35-, 50-, 75-, or 100-mile trail options on blacktop roads, winding through Chippewa County along the Chippewa and Flambeau rivers, around Lake Wissota and Lake Holcombe, and through the Chippewa County Forest. There is an entry fee of $45 for a single rider and $95 for a family after May 10, and $50 for a single rider and $100 for a family ride after May 24. Proceeds from the ride go back to the community, said Mike Buchmann, one of the coordinators of the Chippewa Valley Century Ride. Last year, $18,700 was donated back to the Chippewa Valley. Since 2006, more than $127,000 has been donated, which has supported local Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, food pantries, Feed My People, the Sojourner House, the Chippewa Falls School District Lunch Account Program, Irvine Park, Eagleton Parks, local youth events, and more. Riders can check in anytime from 7-10am and start hitting the pedals after they check in. In the past, roughly 600 people have participated, according to their website. This year, they already have 300 riders registered from nine states, Buchmann said. After the race, there will be a brat meal featuring Leinenkugel’s beer. Families are more than welcome to participate or to spectate, enjoy the park, the Irvine Park Zoo, do some shopping in the Chippewa Falls area, enjoy some Olson’s homemade ice cream, and join in on the brat meal. Extra meal tickets cost $10, or $5 for children aged 12 and under. More information can be found online at chippewavalleyride.us

Chippewa Valley Century Ride • May 26 • Irvine Park, Chippewa Falls • $45/single rider and $95/family after May 10 •  $50/single ride and $100/family after May 24 • All Ages • www.chippewavalleyride.us