New Routes Highlight Second Summer Charity Bike Ride

Fast becoming a Cape Cod tradition, the annual Second Summer Cycle charity bike ride, "Ride the Cape, For the Cape," is in its fourth year and set to hit the road Sunday, Sept. 13. The ride winds through the Cape's backroads and rail trail at one of the most scenic times of the year. 

 Longtime bikers as well as relative newbies to the sport will be among the nearly 500 cyclists heading out this year, riding to benefit 19 small local nonprofit organizations on Cape Cod. 

 This year a choice of four routes is offered, including for the first time a 15-mile route as well as 34 miles, 60-plus miles (Metric Century) and 100 miles (Century). The start times will all be staggered with the longest ride starting at 7 a.m. and the others to follow.

 The 15-mile option is being offered as a ride "in reach of most people," according to Andi Genser, vice chair of the Second Summer Cycle board of directors. "This is everybody's ride," she said. "And almost anyone can ride 15 miles if it is for something they believe in." 

 That includes Harwich rider Michelle Cuff, who has never ridden a charity bike ride but has signed up for the new 15-mile route. Cuff is a board member of Behavioral Health Innovations, one of the 19 nonprofit organizations benefitting from the event. 

"We are riding in memory of our son Patrick who died of an accidental overdose," she said. 

 Describing herself as a "middle age mom with a 10-speed Beach Cruiser," Cuff prepared by doing an eight-mile ride ,and afterwards said she was "a little sore." Adding a pair of padded biker shorts was "a game changer," she said with a smile. 

 Each rider is expected to raise a minimum of $250 from supporters, in addition to their registration fee. All of the funds raised by riders go directly to the beneficiary organization of their choosing, or will be split among the entire group of nonprofits if that is the rider's preference. Close to $1 million has been raised by Second Summer Cycle for local profits over the past four years.

 Beneficiaries include AIDS Support Group of Cape Cod, Behavioral Health Innovators, Building a Bigger Table, Cape Abilities, Cape Wellness Collaborative, CHAMP Homes, Community Connections, Cotuit Center for the Arts, Cultural Center of Cape Cod, Family Table Collaborative, Great Blizzards of Massachusetts, Heroes in Transition, Love Live Local, Police Athletic League of Cape Cod, Recovery Without Walls, Sharing Kindness, Upstream Aquatics, WE CAN (Women’s Empowerment through Cape Area Networking) and the YMCA Cape Cod.

 Another new feature this year is that each of the four routes is a loop, starting and ending at Smugglers Beach, located at the end of South Street and South Shore Drive in South Yarmouth. 

"Safety is a top priority," said Genser, adding that there will be flaggers at every significant intersection along the route. In addition, left turns have been eliminated, making it a lot easier and safer and requiring less police presence, Genser added. 

 Hydration and nutrition stops offering water, Gatorade and a snack of some sort are planned for every 15 miles along the route. And a support team will also be in place, including medical staff, volunteers and bike technicians. 

 The post-ride celebration at Smuggler’s Beach in Yarmouth runs from noon to 4 p.m., and includes live music featuring the group Jeff & Friends, food trucks from Mom and Pops burgers, Veterans Lunch Box and Uncle Jou Jous, and local beer courtesy of Barnstable Brewing. Genser promises a "fun, welcoming atmosphere for riders and supporters." Each rider receives a T-shirt with the ride slogan and $30 in Truck Bucks to use at food and beverage trucks as part of the registration fee. 

 For more information and to register or volunteer, go to www.bikereg.com/second-summer-cycle.