Bike ride for charity on Martha’s Vineyard

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On Saturday, almost 100 cyclists paid an average of $100 to ride their bikes around the Island in the second annual Cycle Martha’s Vineyard. The event was sponsored by the Rotary Club of Martha’s Vineyard with proceeds benefiting Big Brothers Big Sisters of Martha’s Vineyard and other Rotary charities.

Seventy-five of the cyclists rode 100 kilometers (62 miles), covering most of the Island. After skirting Vineyard Haven, the cyclists headed up-Island where they circled Aquinnah via Lobsterville and Lighthouse Roads. Then they headed back down-Island, passing through West Tisbury on the way to Katama, and finally back to Oak Bluffs, where both rides started. The others rode 50 kilometers (31 miles), from Oak Bluffs to Edgartown via the State Forest bike path and back to Oak Bluffs.

There were a number of rest stops along the way, at Edgartown Bikes, Morning Glory Farm, and a stop manned by Big Brothers and Big Sisters at the Chilmark Community Center. According to one rider, Peter Rodegast, “The day couldn’t have been better for riding, with a beautiful clear sky and temperatures in the mid-sixties.”

The rides began at 9:30 and 11 and ended around 1:30 at the P-A Club, where beer was available, and a pig was roasted and served with all the fixings. Live music was provided by the Island’s own Ballywho.

Event organizer Bill Brown said, “This year we had a better turnout than last year. People were more positive, everyone had fun and we made some money. We will do it again next year.”