Cyclists ride to break the cycle of dependence
What motivates people to get out of bed and on the road at 7 a.m. on a weekend morning, on a bicycle no less?
A lengthy bike ride for a worthy cause, that’s what.
Amateur and expert cyclists alike took the opportunity to enjoy a beautiful bike ride and miles of fun in the Break the Cycle Benefit Ride on Saturday, June 11.
The skies parted in time for a pleasant morning ride as brightly-clad bicyclists brushed the raindrops from their handlebars and pedaled many miles over the roads of Holmes and Wayne counties as part of the first Break the Cycle Benefit Ride to raise awareness and reduce the stigma of substance addiction.
The ride raised more than $7,000 to benefit STEPS at Liberty Center’s mission to support addiction recovery services and reduce the stigma associated with drug and alcohol dependency and abuse.
“STEPS stands for Substance Treatment Education and Prevention Services,” said Sue Mathur, president of the Risers, an auxiliary fundraising and awareness group for STEPS. The mission of the group is to prevent and treat chemical dependency and abuse through strategies that meet the needs of individuals, families and communities.
Participants could choose from routes of varying lengths. After beginning at the Ohio State Agricultural and Technical Center in Wooster, cyclists could ride south through the hills of Wayne and Holmes counties for 25, 50 or 100 miles. Approximately 70 riders chose the more difficult route.
In the Family Fun Ride, 32 families looking for less miles and more leisurely riding biked the picturesque loops of the Ohio Research and Development Center’s arboretum. Refreshments and a scavenger hunt amused young bikers and their parents along the two-mile route. “Every family gets a disposable camera and they have items to find, like the Gail Noble butterfly bench,” explained Lara Ginsberg, event organizer.
Some avid cyclists opted for the 100-mile route, but most participants chose to ride 25 or 50 miles. Kasie Kelly and her father were two such riders. “This is my first bike ride that’s this long,” said Kelly. “We plan on doing 25 or 50 miles, but hopefully 50.”
The cyclists were provided with aid stations and SAG service, assistance for any bicycle that breaks down or rider who cannot finish the race.
There were also meeting places where riders could congregate to rest and refuel. One such spot was at the Holmes County Trailhead in Fredericksburg. Here STEPS placed a memory board for riders to sign as they passed by on their route.
The memory board was used as a way to give voice to those affected by or battling the disease. “It is in honor or in support of someone they know who is facing addiction,” said Ginsberg. One of STEPS’ messages is that substance addiction touches everyone’s lives in some way and that those dealing with addiction can turn to the organization for support.
Another of its missions is to reduce the stigma underlying the disease. Joan Fenzl, Risers’ historian and event volunteer, explained that Saturday’s ride would reduce the stigma of addiction by raising awareness. “Just the exposure to STEPS that people are getting is important,” she said. “People who may not have seen any of our literature or information will start to think about the disease.”
Fenzl pointed out signs placed along the routes with slogans such as “There is no one-size-fits-all treatment” and “It’s not a moral issue, it’s a brain disease.” These signs were placed along the roads and trails of Wayne and Holmes counties.
Joanne Karg, event volunteer, said that this event would help bring addiction into the public dialogue. “Say a person is dying of cancer. People are a lot more open and compassionate about it,” she said. “But the disease of alcohol is hushed. We want to de-stigmatize this disease.”
In addition to reducing stigma, the ride raised funds that will be used to support residential treatment services at Beacon House and Noble House, as well as outpatient and prevention services at Gault Liberty Center in Wooster.
This was the first of many yearly benefit rides. The Risers also do other fundraisers, such as Amazing Grazing, an event they hold every other year. “Local chefs prepare tastings for the community to attend,” explained Mathur.
The Risers hope these events will not only raise funds for STEPS, but also raise community awareness and support for the prevention and treatment of addiction.
A lengthy bike ride for a worthy cause, that’s what.
Amateur and expert cyclists alike took the opportunity to enjoy a beautiful bike ride and miles of fun in the Break the Cycle Benefit Ride on Saturday, June 11.
The skies parted in time for a pleasant morning ride as brightly-clad bicyclists brushed the raindrops from their handlebars and pedaled many miles over the roads of Holmes and Wayne counties as part of the first Break the Cycle Benefit Ride to raise awareness and reduce the stigma of substance addiction.
The ride raised more than $7,000 to benefit STEPS at Liberty Center’s mission to support addiction recovery services and reduce the stigma associated with drug and alcohol dependency and abuse.
“STEPS stands for Substance Treatment Education and Prevention Services,” said Sue Mathur, president of the Risers, an auxiliary fundraising and awareness group for STEPS. The mission of the group is to prevent and treat chemical dependency and abuse through strategies that meet the needs of individuals, families and communities.
Participants could choose from routes of varying lengths. After beginning at the Ohio State Agricultural and Technical Center in Wooster, cyclists could ride south through the hills of Wayne and Holmes counties for 25, 50 or 100 miles. Approximately 70 riders chose the more difficult route.
In the Family Fun Ride, 32 families looking for less miles and more leisurely riding biked the picturesque loops of the Ohio Research and Development Center’s arboretum. Refreshments and a scavenger hunt amused young bikers and their parents along the two-mile route. “Every family gets a disposable camera and they have items to find, like the Gail Noble butterfly bench,” explained Lara Ginsberg, event organizer.
Some avid cyclists opted for the 100-mile route, but most participants chose to ride 25 or 50 miles. Kasie Kelly and her father were two such riders. “This is my first bike ride that’s this long,” said Kelly. “We plan on doing 25 or 50 miles, but hopefully 50.”
The cyclists were provided with aid stations and SAG service, assistance for any bicycle that breaks down or rider who cannot finish the race.
There were also meeting places where riders could congregate to rest and refuel. One such spot was at the Holmes County Trailhead in Fredericksburg. Here STEPS placed a memory board for riders to sign as they passed by on their route.
The memory board was used as a way to give voice to those affected by or battling the disease. “It is in honor or in support of someone they know who is facing addiction,” said Ginsberg. One of STEPS’ messages is that substance addiction touches everyone’s lives in some way and that those dealing with addiction can turn to the organization for support.
Another of its missions is to reduce the stigma underlying the disease. Joan Fenzl, Risers’ historian and event volunteer, explained that Saturday’s ride would reduce the stigma of addiction by raising awareness. “Just the exposure to STEPS that people are getting is important,” she said. “People who may not have seen any of our literature or information will start to think about the disease.”
Fenzl pointed out signs placed along the routes with slogans such as “There is no one-size-fits-all treatment” and “It’s not a moral issue, it’s a brain disease.” These signs were placed along the roads and trails of Wayne and Holmes counties.
Joanne Karg, event volunteer, said that this event would help bring addiction into the public dialogue. “Say a person is dying of cancer. People are a lot more open and compassionate about it,” she said. “But the disease of alcohol is hushed. We want to de-stigmatize this disease.”
In addition to reducing stigma, the ride raised funds that will be used to support residential treatment services at Beacon House and Noble House, as well as outpatient and prevention services at Gault Liberty Center in Wooster.
This was the first of many yearly benefit rides. The Risers also do other fundraisers, such as Amazing Grazing, an event they hold every other year. “Local chefs prepare tastings for the community to attend,” explained Mathur.
The Risers hope these events will not only raise funds for STEPS, but also raise community awareness and support for the prevention and treatment of addiction.
Published: June 15, 2011
