66 riders participate in annual bike-a-thon

Biking is big in Alpine County.

The upcoming Death Ride is one of the county's biggest events, but the whole community gets involved for the children and the bike-a-thon.

On May 30, 66 riders gathered at Diamond Valley School.

The youngest bikers rode a safety course on the blacktop behind the school and the older riders pedaled 4 miles to the Hung-a-lel-ti community and back.

The event is a team effort, with over 53 adults assisting. Among the agencies involved are social services, women's center, early learning center, health department, the superior court, library, Alpine kids, California Highway Patrol, and sheriffs deputies.

Sandy King of social services said that her "goal was to see a sea of children in bright green T-shirts," enjoying a healthy event.

Each child was presented a green T-shirt with the words "Stop the Cycle of Abuse" printed on it, along with a raffle ticket to win one of the 33 new bikes donated by community organizations.

Free helmets were also available.

Sheriff John Crawford said, "We closed the road from the school to the community and posted officers at both ends. Another officer in a patrol car pulls a trailer so the little ones who get tired on the way back can put their bikes on the trailer and ride back in the patrol car."

The CHP inspected all bikes and provided a training circuit for the youngest riders.

Various groups sponsored tents with free arts and crafts.

Julie Ola said that her favorite part is "watching the volunteers: Judge DeVore and Frank Jacobelli flipping burgers, as well as seeing the kids on wheels."

Nani Ellis thought that the Bounce House looked like the most fun, while her daughter Lauren said that her favorite part was winning a brand new bike.

Liz McGeein told me that the team began "organizing in March. Next year the CHP will be hosting the event, which is great. Everything is free here today, which is also great."

Two of the older riders, Shaunna Burtz and Mayney Bennett said that they both like riding bikes the best. "It is good exercise for your legs," said Shaunna.