Early-bird registration for the Hearts for our Hospital Big Bike Weekend ends Sunday, July 29 at midnight.
The event, now in its fourth year and continuing to grow, is scheduled for Nov. 9, 10 and 11. It will feature a bicycle challenge on Saturday, Nov. 10 with five route choices, ranging from a 10-mile to a 100-mile route.
Sumter Landing Bicycle Club member and event organizer Pat Gillis is excited by the growth of the event, which is a partnership between the bike club and The Villages Regional Hospital Auxiliary Foundation.
“This is a fun event all around and we raise money in the process,” Gillis said.
On Friday, Nov. 9, the event will offer a Health and Wellness Expo. Following the Saturday ride, an after-party is planned that will feature R.J. Gator’s Das Krankenhaus Biergarten and Oktoberfest music provided by DJ Bavarian Oscar. And On Sunday, Nov. 11 a free club ride will take place with members of the of the Sumter Landing Bicycle Club.
Registered participants also will have the first chance to get tickets for the Bob Marley tribute band John Truth and Reflexx concert featuring orthopedic surgeon Dr. John Williams, well-known to many Villagers, as Bob Marley. Williams’ band performs only a couple of times a year locally and is always a sellout.
All of the weekend events take place at La Hacienda Recreation Center, including the start and finish line for the Saturday bicycle ride. In addition to riding individually, riders also will have the opportunity to join a team. There are several categories, such as military, colleges and faith-based. And within each category, there are teams competing for the travelling trophies.
David’s World Cycle, one of the nation’s top Trek Bicycle retailers with a location at 739 S. Main St. in Wildwood, is joining with Quest Diagnostics to be a title sponsor of Big Bike Weekend.
“This company is well known in the cycling community and we are really excited to have them on board,” Gillis said.
Details about all of the weekend’s events, including registration and how to form a new team, can be found at www.h4hbikeweekend.com.