Nerac Earth Announces 5th Annual “Seven Lakes Ride” to “Pedal for Patients”

Nerac Earth, a nonprofit cycling club located in Tolland, CT., is pleased to invite everyone to come out and participate in the fifth annual Seven Lakes Ride, a fund-raising bicycle ride event to be held on Sunday, June 25th, 2017. The proceeds of The Seven Lakes Ride will benefit patients of the John DeQuattro Cancer Center in Manchester, Ct.

The Seven Lakes Ride is the brainchild of a Nerac Earth club member and Hartford Hospital radiation therapist, Pete LaValley. Over the past few years he watched the economic woes that we all face hit his patients particularly hard. Volunteer numbers fell as gas prices rose, and in one instance, one of his patients was diagnosed with cancer, laid off from work, lost his medical benefits, lost his home and had to move in with an elderly parent and struggle to find money to buy food, gas and medications. This is just one of the many unfortunate stories that he would see and hear about in his daily work day. “I felt bad for these people who had worked their whole lives to become victim to a terrible disease that consumes their savings, quality of life and the golden years that we all hope for,” LaValley explained.

This is what inspired Pete to design a charity cycling event that would raise money to help the patients where he works, Radiation Oncology at the John DeQuattro Cancer Center in Manchester, CT. The goal is to raise money through sponsorships, donations and participant registrations to help ease the stressful situation that these cancer patients face with making ends meet, so they can concentrate on beating their disease. Proceeds from The Seven Lakes Ride will help eligible patients by providing items such as medications, nutritional supplements, gas, groceries, home heating fuel and transportation needs.

The ride will begin and end at the Stafford High School in Stafford Springs, CT. There will be a 20, 25, 45 and a 62 mile route to choose from. The 62 mile ride travels through the charming rural towns of Willington, Ashford, Woodstock then heads into the quaint southeastern Massachusetts towns of Sturbridge, Holland, and Wales before returning to Union, Staffordville and Stafford. The 45 mile route travels through Stafford, Willington, Union, Holland and Wales before returning to Union, Staffordville. While the 20 and 25 mile ride travel along the quiet country roads of Stafford, Staffordville, Union Ct. and Wales Ma.

All routes are fully supported and there will be multiple rest stops stocked with food, drinks and water. After the ride, there will be a raffle for some great prizes. So come out and “Pedal for Patients” with us -- you don’t want to miss it!! Details follow:

Location: The ride starts at the Stafford High School, 145 Orcuttville Rd, Stafford Springs, CT

(see www.sevenlakesride.com for detailed directions).

Date: Sunday – June 25, 2017 (This is a rain or shine event.)

Registration: 7:00-9:30 AM

Start Times: 62 mile 8:00 AM 45 mile 8:30 AM

25 mile 9:00 AM 20 mile 9:30 AM

To pre-register and save $10! Go to https://www.bikereg.com/the-seven-lakes-ride

Nerac Earth Cycling Club actively supports the sport of bicycle riding in the community; we lead rides for cyclists of all ages and skill levels, participate in trail work to improve the trails in our area, share our biking knowledge and skills with new cyclists, and recruit new cyclists into the sport. We have over 75 active members and support many charity rides across Connecticut by participating as a club.

This is a USA Cycling permitted event. Helmets must be worn and approved by the CPSC or US DOT standards. For more information, contact neracearth@nerac.com.