Miles adding up for Thrive’s Bike Challenge

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Sports

August 6, 2014 - 12:00 AM

Allen County has pedaled even farther in the National Bike Challenge since June, tracking an incredible 20,524 miles. That’s 15,000 more miles in two months.
“Allen County’s success in the National Bike Challenge has been an affirmation of the efforts that Thrive has taken over the last six years to get people to be more physically active,” said David Toland, Thrive Allen County’s executive director. “It shows what we’re doing is working.”
Thrive’s group has had some help. On June 5, there were 44 people riding for Allen County. Now, there are 72, with a goal of attracting three more riders.
“I think it’s spread by word-of-mouth and how people have seen how enjoyable it is to get out and ride,” Toland said. “Maybe they haven’t ridden in years and forgotten about it. Now it’s reinvigorated their interest in bicycling.”
There are still 56 more days left and organizers would also like to exceed 30,000 miles.
For perspective, 20,000 miles is enough to ride around the perimeter of the United States.
Bike enthusiast Randy Rasa has led the way with 4,922 miles. Overall, Allen County has 14 riders who have exceeded 1,000 miles.
“Frankly, that goal has been extended since we had more people,” Rasa said. “The original goal was 12,500 and we eclipsed that pretty quickly, so I just kept bumping it.”
For the local challenges, Allen County is first in Kansas and number three in the country.
“It’s remarkable at how successful we’ve been with this just being our first year,” Toland said. “We’re really proud of the effort that’s been put forth by Randy Rasa and people all around the county to bring us to this unprecedented level.”
It’s not too late to join, since the challenge doesn’t end until Sept. 30. Sign up at nationalbikechallenge.org. The website asks for a ZIP code, which ensures entry in Thrive Allen County’s group.
“We hope this is contagious,” Toland said, “and it encourages more people to get out and be active and enjoy Allen County’s network of trails, routes and sharrows.”

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