JAY – Ninety-four cyclists participated in the Ausable River Association’s second annual Ride for the River on Sunday. The event was intended to celebrate the Ausable River valley and raise funds for the work of the association.

With last week’s stagnant heat gone from the air, residents and visitors of all ages began one of the three routes designed by LeepOff Cycles in the Town of Jay Village Green on a crisp, foggy summer morning. Some riders embarked on the challenging “Ausable Eddy,” circling 45 miles along back roads between Jay, Black Brook and Wilmington and gaining about 2,000 feet of elevation. Others tackled the “Braided Eight,” that traversed 25 miles through Jay and Wilmington and gained about 1,000 feet in a large figure eight, while some rode the “Carol’s Meander,” that followed the East Brance of the Ausable eight miles.

“A great follow-up on last year’s event, riders had an opportunity to marvel at the beauty of our river valley and support an important organization in our communities.” said Christian Brammer, a Keene resident. “Even the weather played along.”

After the morning ride, participants as well as friends and family gathered at Douglas Memorial Park by the Jay Covered Bridge to enjoy a picnic with live music by Darryl Stout and Eric Klotzko, food provided by local business sponsors and a Hornbeck canoe raffle drawing. Lucky raffle winner Ian Maclachlan of Lake Placid will be heading to Hornbeck Boats in Olmstedville to choose a boat fit for his body and needs through Hornbeck’s Perfect Fit Program.

“What an outstanding show of support for AsRA,” said Corrie Miller, AsRA’s Director and Jay resident. “The sense of community spirit in the air was inspiring.”

The proceeds from the ride directly fund AsRA’s work with local municipalities, businesses and residents to build community and ecological resilience in the face of future flood events.

The Ausable River Association is a non-profit, community-supported organization that works to identify, conserve and restore the natural resources of the Ausable Watershed, both for their inherent ecological value and their value to human communities.