Y hosts annual bike ride

[August 29, 2011]  Sixteen participants gathered at the Y Activity Center on Wyatt Avenue early Saturday morning to join the Y's annual bike ride that promotes healthy activity and enjoyment of the out-of-doors. One course was the five-mile Family Fun Ride, which traveled by Scully Park, where there was a craft fair and flea market. The alternative was a 30-mile ride across the city of Lincoln and through the country in a loop that brought riders back to the Y Center. The ride included a refreshment break halfway in Union.

Chris Cicci, YMCA sports and activity director, told riders, "We want everyone to have a good time and enjoy the ride. There are changes we want to make to this event. Next year we would like to make it a competition, with prizes and incentives to attract more riders.

"If you have a good time this year," Cicci said, "tell your friends about it and bring them with you next year. If you have suggestions, let us know."

Riders were furnished with a cellphone number to call for assistance. Volunteers manned a station at the Y Center to greet riders upon their return.

Jan Schacht, Lincoln YMCA executive director, has discussed the fact that the Y used to sponsor a bike ride that attracted dozens of people. But lack of attention caused the ride to become less organized, and it saw a reduction in the number of participants. A renewed interest in bike rides and competitions has inspired the organization to consider revamping the local event, which has usually been scheduled for Saturday morning during the Lincoln Art & Balloon Festival.

"This used to be a big event," Schacht said, "and we want to rejuvenate it so it is something special again. We have some planning to do and changes to make, but next year's bike ride will be bigger and better."

The event was sponsored by Bassi Construction and Fitness Balance.

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Online:

Lincoln Area YMCA:
http://www.lincolnymca.org/ 

[By MARLA BLAIR]