Cyclists of all ages wishing to participate in the worthy cause of cancer treatment research will have an event in October to sign up for, with 100% of donations collected by participants going to Siteman Cancer Center and St. Louis Children's Hospital.
The ride, with road and spin bike options and a shorter ride for children, will begin 8 a.m. Oct. 21 with registration, registration beginning at 7:30, at the West Plains High School. Helmets must be worn for participation.
Preregistration is encouraged — the earlier, the better. The cost for those those signing up by Sept. 22 is $25, and a free T-shirt is included.
The registration remains $25 from Sept. 22 to Oct. 13, but will not include a T-shirt. Registration between Oct. 14 and the day of the event is $30 with no T-shirt.
There will be a 7-mile course that may be repeated for a total of 14 miles, with a shorter route for children and "virtual" rides on a spin bike in 30-minute shifts led by Theresa Speake. Register and reserve a time for this option online or by calling Michelle Cobban at 417-274-6131.
Entry fee checks should be made out to "Pedal The Cause."
Additionally, donations of art supplies in memory of Kiara Holden, a Glenwood School graduate and West Plains High School freshman who passed away in January 2020 at the age of 14, will be accepted.
Holden was a budding artist who enjoyed making art pieces, organizers say, and the supplies will be given to the St. Louis Children's Hospital, where Holden received treatment for acute B-cell leukemia.
Paint, paint brushes, markers, pencils, canvases, sketch books and clay are suggested for donation.
Honor Field signs in honor or in memory of loved ones will be available the day of the event for $30 each.
Cyclists may register online at forms.gle/tzqR4FY3Kd5cbrff8 or by picking up and filling out a paper form and waiver from West Plains Bike Shop, 313 Washington Ave., or Ozark Kids Dentistry at 820 Kentucky Ave., and returning it to either location. Entry forms must be signed by participants 18 years old and older, and a parent signature is required for riders younger than 18. Parents may sign one time for their minor children, organizers added.
Founding sponsors include West Plains Bike Shop, Ozark Kids Dentistry and Holden Construction, with more sponsorships and volunteer opportunities available.
For more information on how to become a sponsor or volunteer, call event organizers Lori Bash, 417-293-9524; Candie Holden, 417-293-1741; Stephanie Hullinger, 417-712-0026; Pam Topliff, 417-257-4642; Stephanie Zobell, 417-313-1249; or Cobban.
