About 250 bicyclists will ride from Mount Airy to the Peach Festival in Westminster tomorrow to raise safety awareness and money for the Brain Injury Association of Maryland.
The first-time bicycling event is sponsored by several local businesses and BIAM, a nonprofit group that serves as clearinghouse for survivors of brain injuries and their families.
"Our goal is to promote safe biking, raise money and have fun," said Parker Sutton, BIAM's executive director. "A big part of that push for public awareness involves brain injury prevention campaigns. What better way to share [our] mission than a bike ride to promote safe biking and wearing helmets?"
Eighty-eight percent of all head injuries suffered by bike riders could be prevented by wearing helmets, he said. Most people, however, do not wear helmets when they bike, he noted.
"If adults wear their helmets, they encourage children to wear theirs," he said.
All riders must use helmets during the ride. Race Pace, a Westminster bike shop, will advise riders on the right way to wear helmets and provide mechanical support.
Riders will leave Firehouse Pub & Grill in Mount Airy at 8 a.m. and choose a 20-mile, 40-mile or 62.5-mile course.
"The 62.5-mile route is a tough, challenging ride," said Keith Shuey, president of Chesapeake Wheelmen, a bicycle club whose members will ride as road marshals.
Participants who select a 20-mile ride through Carroll's rolling countryside to the Peach Festival can take a return shuttle to Mount Airy. The festival, held at Carroll County Agriculture Center, features fresh, dried and baked peaches in pies, jams and jellies.
Participants will receive T-shirts and water bottles. Participants also may win door prizes because of the efforts of Judy Kressig, a Mount Airy resident and BIAM board member.
Kressig, a survivor of a brain injury that slurred her speech and limited her mobility, said she would rather be riding, but collecting door prizes was the next best thing.
Registration for the ride is $30. Registration: 410-448-2924.
Pub Date: 8/08/97
