Hope Ride takes to area roads Saturday

More than 1,000 local and regional bicyclists are anticipated to gather at Hauser Junior-Senior High School for the 31st Annual Hope Ride on Sept. 22nd.

It is an event cyclists shouldn’t miss, says organizer Paul Ashbrook.

“If they have not been, they need to come,” he says. “It is truly a Hoosier experience. You get to see Indiana at its finest and it is everything we appreciate about living in Hope.”

Cyclists have their pick of four routes, which include 13, 25 and 50 miles, Ashbrook says. Those who are especially enthusiastic can even opt to ride the 50-mile route twice.

“No single route is repeated,” Ashbrook says. “However, the rest stops do remain the same.”

The event kicks off at Hauser Junior-Senior High School, located on State Road 9, at 7:30 a.m. when registration opens. As the event offers a leisurely start, participants can roll out anytime between 7:30 and 9 a.m., Ashbrook says.

Launched as a consequence of a failed “Save the Burger” campaign following the filming of an Arby’s restaurant commercial in the 1980s, the Hope Ride has raised more than $500,000 in its 30-year history for area food pantries and youth outreach programs.

And, like the funds it has raised, the Ride’s popularity has grown far beyond expectations drawing more than 2,000 riders for a single event one year.

Jake Miller, president of the Hope Area Chamber of Commerce, remembers the event from when he was a young man growing up in Hope. Just the simple fact this is the 31st year speaks volumes, he says.

“Everyone looks forward to it,” Miller says. “It is a big attraction from an outsider’s point of view and there’s a lot going on. I know there are a lot of different organizations that help and it is a great opportunity for local organizations to get together and support another nonprofit.”

Participants have come from as far away as Pennsylvania and Michigan to take part, Ashbrook says.

Riders organize teams to compete for largest team, which helps them to raise funds for the charity of their choice, Ashbrook says.

“This year the top prize will be $1,000 with prizes for second and third places as well,” he says.

There will be plenty of goodies available all along the designated routes that will meander throughout Bartholomew County and stretch into surrounding counties, including Shelby and Decatur, Ashbrook says. 

“This is not a lose weight event,” Ashbrook says. “We are not Iron Men, we are blubber men.”

According to the Hope Ride’s web site, highlights of this year’s routes include Simmons’ Winery/450 North, Mennonite Homesteads, Anderson Falls Park and Flat Rock River.

Registration for the event is now open and those who are interested in participating can check out HopeRide.org, Ashbrook says.

“The Ride has made people aware that cycling is a nice thing,” Ashbrook says. “It is also the type of event that impacts the youth of the community; we are on to second generations riders now. It is a fun, family-friendly event and a chance to show off our town.”