The Lancaster Sunrise Rotary has planned its 17th annual bicycle ride for 2021, dubbing it the Ride for the Community. Club member Steve Bareuther noted that in the wake of COVID-19 restrictions, the 2020 ride was postponed and then finally canceled, but this year, the ride is set to go live.

This year's Ride for the Community will be held at the Manheim Township Community Park, 209 Petersburg Road, Neffsville, on Saturday, May 8, with rolling starts beginning at 7 a.m. Riders must register and checkin between 7 and 9 a.m. The event will follow Pennsylvania's COVID-19 guidelines, and it will be held rain or shine.

Formerly called the Literacy Ride, the event was renamed to better reflect the many community organizations that benefit. The ride is designed to appeal to bicycle enthusiasts at a variety of riding levels, so the club offers four routes - a 10-mile family ride; a 21-mile ride through scenic countryside; a 43-mile ride showcasing farms, schoolhouses, and covered bridges; and a metric century ride of 100 kilometers, equivalent to approximately 62 miles. Metric century riders must depart by 8 a.m. On this course, an optional hill stage called the Cat's Back challenge will be offered near Fairmount in Ephrata. Ride participants will find water and rest stops located along each of the marked routes. Cue sheets, SAG support, sports beverages, snacks, lunch, and comfort stations will also be provided to registered riders.

Since 2018, the Rotary Club has partnered with The Common Wheel, an organization that works to encourage a culture of biking for transportation as well as recreation. The park became a drop-off location, with club members accepting quality, gently used bikes throughout the ride. This year, the partnership will continue, and riders and nonriders are invited to donate bikes from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the park. More information about the organization may be found at http://www.thecommonwheel.com.

This year, a Shred Event Fundraiser will be held in the park from 9 to 11 a.m. in conjunction with the ride. Bareuther said that this is an opportunity for community members to clean out their basements and file cabinets and make a donation to the club at the same time. Club president Bill Weik noted that shredding by Marco Technologies will happen on site and that 100% of the donation will go to the club.

Beginning in 2019, the club offered a more inclusive sponsorship package for local businesses and individuals involving both the club's Literacy Ride and the car show that members hold in the Neffsville Park each September. Through fundraisers, the club supports a number of local organizations. Weik noted that recent contributions have included scholarships for Manheim Township students, grants to United Disability Services, and funding for the Lancaster Early Education Center playground area.

Those who would like to register to take part in the bicycle ride may do so by searching for "Rotary Ride for the Community 2021" at http://www.active.com. Questions may be directed to Bareuther at sbareuther@msn.com.

Sunrise Rotary welcomes new members. Readers who would like to learn more about the organization may visit http://www.lancastersunriserotaryofpa.com.