Hop on your bike or just come out and enjoy the scenery when Brittany's Hope hosts the fifth annual Biking for Brittany. The event will take place on Sunday, June 28, with rides beginning and ending at the Star Barn at Stone Gables Estate, 1 Hollinger Lane, Elizabethtown. The first ride will take off at 6:30 a.m., followed by additional starts at 7 and 7:30 a.m.

"There are three events to challenge all levels of riders: The Metric Century (62 miles), Mid-Distance (45 miles) and Metric Half Century (34 miles)," said Dana Myers, director of charitable giving for Brittany's Hope. "Riders will take off from the beautiful Star Barn and follow one of three awesome routes and will travel through the rolling hills and picturesque landscapes of Elizabethtown, Hershey and surrounding counties."

After the ride, everyone is invited to celebrate at the Star Barn.

"Enjoy a fun post-ride celebration featuring burgers and hot dogs on the grill, ice cream, music and a few great cycling-related vendors," Myers said. "Biking for Brittany is not a timed ride, so you can enjoy the experience your way. From e-bikes to race bikes, all are welcome!"

Myers explained that now-committee co-chair and avid cyclist Molly Stager suggested the fundraiser a few years ago.

"At the time, we did the Walk of Love and a cross-country 5K," Myers recalled. "Molly assured us that the bike ride would introduce us to an entirely new market, which was true, and that hosting a bike event is super easy - which is not exactly true, but we have an awesome committee."

Proceeds from Biking for Brittany will help Brittany's Hope continue its mission of aiding orphaned and abandoned children through adoption grants and humanitarian support for the organization's partner children's homes in Vietnam, Kenya and Ethiopia.

"We are working to solve the orphan crisis at its roots by educating students to have profitable careers which will help to break the cycle of generational poverty and by providing homes to homeless families who feel desperate to provide a better life for their children," Myers explained. "Homes, which can be built for $6,000, allow loving parents to care for their children and have the family remain together."

Biking for Brittany relies on support from sponsors, including Presenting Sponsor Mars, as well as The North Group and Abel & Son Roofing & Siding. It also requires a team of people to pull off a successful event, Myers said.

"This committee is composed of experienced, knowledgeable riders who understand how to put on an amazing ride," she stated. "They work hard - creating and marking the course, even clearing debris and trees from the course the day before the ride. We would never attempt to put on a ride of this magnitude without them. They're phenomenal." Event co-chairs are Molly Stager and Jamie Clinton, and committee members are Bill Coyne, Joe Ruiz, Roger Rabey, David Sonner, Charlie Olmstead, Dave Wilson, Deb Nissley, Gale Hess, Bob Turner and Shane Cranford.

Myers added that Biking for Brittany always receives positive feedback from both participants and spectators.

"For riders, we continually hear that this ride is the best ride people have ever ridden. Comments include, 'The location and routes are beautiful' and 'Everyone is just so nice,'" she said. "And of course, what better cause than to support orphaned and abandoned children! For spectators, it would be great for local people to check out the routes at https://brittanyshope.org/events/biking-for-brittany and cheer riders on along the way and to cheer them on at the finish at the Star Barn. They'd love that. Also, we have the best after party around. And the best part is, everything is donated."

Online registration for Biking for Brittany will end at 5 p.m. on Saturday, June 27, but on-site registration will begin at 6 a.m. on June 28. For more information, visit the aforementioned website.