CARIBOU, Maine — Ride Aroostook, a two-day cycling tour of Aroostook County, is getting ready to mark a significant milestone when the event takes place July 11 and 12 based at the University of Maine at Presque Isle. This year will be the fifth anniversary of the ride, which is held to benefit Camp Adventure, a summer camp for children ages 12-17 with type 1 diabetes.
The ride brings cycling enthusiasts from across Maine and beyond to tour the magnificent landscapes in the County, and also features a 100-mile Century Ride.
Bill Flagg, director of public relations at Cary Medical Center, has coordinated the event since it began, and said that thanks to generous sponsors, Ride Aroostook is an event that has multiple benefits.
“The ride brings people to Aroostook who have never been here before and they just are in awe of the beauty and our wide open horizons,” Flagg said. “This is good for the County.”
The event also brings attention to Camp Adventure, which is managed by the diabetes program at Cary. Children with type 1 diabetes have been attending the camp for more than 17 years. While there, children learn how to manage their blood sugars and insulin during outdoor recreational activity. Nurses, physicians, diabetes educators, dietitians, Maine Guides, and others are involved with the camp and children who attend appreciate the experience.
Erica Ouellette, a registered nurse and certified diabetes educator, said the children love the camp and many go on to become counselors.
“I started as a camper, then became a counselor and now I co-direct the camp,” said Ouellette, who was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the age of 9. “The camp has a major, even life-changing impact on the children and their families. Ride Aroostook helps to spread the word about Camp Adventure across Maine and the funds raised by the event are critically needed.”
According to Penny McHatten, volunteer coordinator for the ride and a member of the planning committee, Ride Aroostook is building a name for itself throughout Maine and beyond. “We really do have a great cycling environment here in the County,” said McHatten, who has been part of the event each year. “When the riders leave us on Sunday they encourage us to keep it going and they can’t stop talking about how beautiful it is here. We are working very hard to sustain the event and would love to draw more local riders as well.”
Volunteers are still needed for Ride Aroostook. McHatten said that without volunteers the ride would not be possible and she welcomes individuals to contact her to volunteer. “We have been so blessed by great volunteers,” she said. “Our volunteer planning committee works for months to put the event together and then many more volunteers are needed for the event itself. We provide meals, T-shirts and other amenities to our volunteers along with our sincere thanks. It’s a great experience and we invite people to go to the Ride Aroostook website or call Cary to learn more about volunteering.”
High school students who need community service are invited to volunteer at Ride Aroostook. Juniors or seniors who need the hours can get up to 16 hours over the two days of the ride.
Cycling enthusiasts who would like to do the ride may register on line at ridearoostook.org, or they can register over the phone by calling 498-1376.
