Cyclists still have time to sign up for Nov. 10 ride to benefit Villages hospital auxiliary foundation

Bicyclists will take to the streets Saturday, Nov. 10 for a good cause and there is still time to sign up and join them.

Whether you are a novice or veteran cyclist, there is a place for you at the fourth annual Big Bike Weekend. Several hundred cyclists will take off from La Hacienda Recreation Center for a scenic ride around The Villages and for some, depending on their route choice, the surrounding counties. It is a very pleasant way to help raise money for The Villages Regional Hospital Auxiliary Foundation, which can be attested to by the growing number of cyclists that participate each year.

The Saturday ride is only one of the events offered during Big Bike weekend.

On the Friday before the ride, there will be a Cycling Expo and Health Fair. This year, there will be a variety of bikes available for demo rides with an emphasis on e-bikes. Cycling-related vendors are there to share the latest in cycling technology and coaching techniques. Cycling vacation companies attend the Expo, as well as health-related vendors. The Expo is open to everyone.

All participating cyclists are welcome to stay after the Saturday ride and enjoy the Das Krankenhaus Biergarten. For those who know that Krankenhaus means hospital, don’t be alarmed. That is just evidence of event organizer Pat Gillis’ sense of humor.

There are five route choices for riders, ranging in distance from 10 miles to 100 miles. Or as dubbed by Gillis, the 10-mile route is the Nitrous Oxide, the 17-mile route is the Double Bypass, the 32-mile route is the Triple Bypass, the 64-mile route is the Quadruple Bypass and the 100-mile route is the Full Arrest.

Big Bike Weekend is a partnership between Sumter Landing Bicycle Club and TRVH Auxiliary Foundation, with two title sponsors, Quest Diagnostics and David’s World Cycle.  The event has grown every year. Last year, more than 370 riders participated and more than $50,000 was raised for TVRH Auxiliary Foundation. The proceeds from Big Bike Weekend are used by TVRH Auxiliary Foundation to improve the quality of patient care at The Villages Regional Hospital.

For more information on all of the weekend’s activities and to register, go to www.h4hbikeweekend.com. Riders can sign up to ride individually or join one of the existing teams, which range from faith-based groups to military organizations. You will find a full listing of all the teams on the website.