Above / The 20th Annual Naperville Rotary Ride is slated for cyclists to begin the SAG supported tour Sunday morning, Aug. 14, from Commissioners Park. (PN File Photo)
The 20th annual Rotary Ride, held in memory of Carmen DiGiovine, will begin and end at Commissioners Park, 3704 111th St. in south Naperville, on Sunday, August 14. Cyclists may start the leisurely bike ride any time beginning at 6:30AM and no later than 10:30AM.
Hosted by the Rotary Club of Naperville / Downtown and presented by DiGiovine, Hnilo, Jordan and Johnson, Ltd., the bike ride will be SAG supported until 3PM and offer a 1.4 mile family loop, 21, 41, and 62 (metric century) mile routes.
Above / 2015 Rotary Ride cyclists and volunteers geared up for the fundraising event. (PN File Photo)
“The 20th Annual Rotary Ride is already a huge success, with 18 sponsors led by DiGiovine, Hnilo, Jordan & Johnson, Ltd.,” said Pat Benton, sponsor co-chairman. “We are well on our way to providing new financial support to local charities Loaves & Fishes CARES Programs, Naperville Responds for Our Veterans and international support to Rotary’s Polio Plus.”
Cyclists can sign up online, Benton added.
The “Early Bird” discounted registration until July 31 guarantees cyclists a commemorative 2016 Rotary Ride t-shirt. A limited number of t-shirts will be available Aug. 14 on a first-come basis.
According to organizer Chuck Corrigan, cyclists who sign up by July 31 not only will receive a blue 2016 tech t-shirt, they’ll have a chance to win “a cool Fitbit Blaze smart watch to track your fitness, text, tell time, make calls and more.”
The cost is $40 online until July 31 and $50 on the day of the ride. Register now at www.napervillerotaryride.com.
Family Fun Loop / 8-11AM
In addition, from 8AM to 11AM, a Family Fun Loop with signs noting Rotary trivia to help create awareness about the international service organization will be available for families to run, walk, bike or stroll around the track at Commissioners’ Park. The cost to participate and support Rotary charitable cause is $15 per family.
No advance sign up is necessary. Simply show up at Commissioner’s Park. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
International bike project benefits children in Africa
In addition to the bike tour, 2016 Rotary Ride will feature a gently-used bike collection location.
Since early 2014, used, outgrown and/or repairable bikes for children and adults have been collected by Naperville Sunrise Rotary to benefit Bikes for Lesotho.
Bikes for Lesotho is a project that sends bicycles to children and young people in impoverished mountain villages of the Kingdom of Lesotho in Southern Africa.
Donated bikes will be repaired, reconditioned and shipped by the nonprofit organization to some of the 100,000 AIDS/HIV orphans living in the region. More than 1,000 bikes have been sent in the past two years.
Big push during Naperville Rotary Ride Aug. 14
Volunteers will be at Naperville Rotary Ride in Commissioners’ Park on 111th to collect gently-used bikes in all sizes from 6:30AM to 11:45AM, Sun., Aug. 14. A large transport vehicle will arrive to collect the bikes by noon. Used bikes will be accepted only in the morning before noon.
Above / Rotarians Adrian Knowles and Mike Albrow collect gently-used workable bikes of all sizes to fill space provided by Naperville Bank & Trust.
Though next official drop off schedule will be during Rotary Ride, the project to send bikes to children in the mountains of Southern Africa and needy people anywhere will be ongoing, Rotarian Mike Albrow said.
Bikes in working condition, simply in need of air for flat tires, are most appreciated.
Any outgrown bikes?
Albrow suggested that when fitting growing kids with new bikes or when cyclists upgrade their own wheels, donating to Bikes for Lesotho is a way to clean out the garage while also helping children in Africa discover the joy of biking and owning something that reflects caring for them.
All area families are encouraged to take stock of their old bicycles and take advantage of this easy opportunity to take part in a humanitarian act.
For more information regarding the bike collection, call Naperville Sunrise Rotary at (773) 847-5440 or visit www.napervillesunrise.org.
FYI: The Rotary Club of Naperville/Downtown and Rotary Club of Naperville/Sunrise are two of three Rotary clubs that serve Naperville.
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