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Stratton Ride raised record amount for local young people

SARANAC LAKE — Records were broken at the 19th Pat Stratton Bike Ride.

The event, which took place Aug. 24, drew a record number of participants — more than 150 riders, according to organizers — and raised $13,980, more money than in prior years.

Founded by Bob Scheefer in memory of his late cycling partner, riders enjoyed perfect mild weather for tackling the 28-mile, 56-mile and the 100-mile courses. There were participants from nine states and Canada who signed up to ride.

The event saw the largest increase in riders for its 28-mile course and saw more female riders this year than in previous years.

The youngest rider was 11 years old. He convinced his 80-year-old grandfather to do the 28-mile course with him this year, organizers say.

“The Stratton Ride has always had a reputation for being friendly and fun,” Saranac Lake Kiwanis Club president and longtime cyclist Craig Stevens said in a statement. “We had people on e-bikes, fat tire-bikes, tri-bikes and even a woman who came down from Montreal to ride her first century — she did it on a fixed gear-bike!”

Proceeds support the activities of the Kiwanis club, including the annual Bike Rodeo, college scholarships for local graduates, books for kindergarteners, dictionaries for third-graders, snacks for Homework Haven; and support for youth activities at the Saranac Lake Free Library, the Youth Center, Pendragon Theatre, Saranac Lake Area Youth Program, Holiday Helpers and more.

The next Stratton Ride is expected to take place on Aug. 29, 2020.

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