Willimantic —
Steeple Chase Bike Tour in its 18year
Hundreds of riders of varying abilities and ambitions met at the Windham Mills loading dock in the early morning mist, ready to ride in the 18annual Steeple Chase Bike Tour. The Aug. 15 event, a fundraiser for The Windham Area Interfaith Ministry and the Perceptions Program, offered courses of 20, 35, 50, and 100 miles, plus the 62.5-mile “Metric Century.”
Click the thumbnails above to see the full size pictures.
“We raised $61,000 this year,” tour official Ruth Gordon said. “Not quite as much as last year, but in this economy, we’re very pleased. About 5 percent of that will go to expenses, and the rest will be split evenly between WAIM and Perceptions.”
Though the competitive juices were undoubtedly flowing for many of the riders, this was a tour, not a race. The competition is based on the fundraising abilities of the teams and individuals.
The Colchester Dental Group, headed by Dr. Mike Babinski, has won the first place trophy for the past two years and hopes to do so again. “We’ve got 40 riders out here,” he said. “Colleagues, staff members, patients and friends, all of who have been raising money through the year. It’s going to be tough to repeat, though. I hear the Thread City Cyclists are really pushing to beat us out. Hey, if they do, great. It’ll mean more money for the cause.”
The various courses wound through the scenic Quiet Corner, with rest stops at area churches along the way, hence the name “Steeple Chase.” WAIM volunteers were on hand at all the rest stops with refreshments and words of encouragement.
WAIM is comprised of 39 faith communities which provide fuel assistance, food, clothing, housing and furniture for needy families in the area. Perception Programs, Inc. offers treatment, case management, education and housing to people dealing with substance abuse and other disorders, adults involved in the criminal justice system and people living with AIDS.
The top two prizes to be awarded for money raised are a week for four at a Moosehead Lake cabin in Maine and a week for two at the Woodward Motor Inn in North Lincoln, N.H. Winners were to be announced later, and all the prizes are donated.
