A record 643 riders participated in the 11th annual 8 Lakes Bike Ride on Saturday, August 1st. ‘Title’ Sponsor Group Health Cooperative hosted the event with the ride start/finish at their corporate offices on Sunset Highway. Riders and volunteers enjoyed fresh, hot David’s Pizza and Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream at the end of the ride. This is one of the greatest cycling events in Eastern Washington, touring scenic landscapes between Spokane, Medical Lake and Cheney. The 8 lakes included: Willow, Granite, Silver, Medical, Clear, Chapman, Kepple and Fish. Riders of all abilities chose from a leisurely 30-mile ride or slightly challenging 45-mile or 75-mile trek.

Nearly 100 riders raised pledges of $175 or more and received an 8 Lakes Bike Ride designer jersey. This year’s ride raised over $58,000 to benefit ACT for Kids, a program of Lutheran Community Services’ Sexual Assault & Family Trauma (SAFeT) Response Center. The ACT for Kids program and SAFeT are committed to the prevention and healing of sexual abuse and family trauma through education and treatment. Proceeds from the bike ride help us to continue delivering the highest quality of service to our community while not only providing on-going support, but will also create new opportunities of hope to our community who turn to our agency in their time of need.

Mark your calendar for next year’s 8 Lakes Bike Ride scheduled for Saturday, August 7th, 2010.