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Ballard Wings and Wheels Bike Ride Saturday

Ballard Wings and Wheels Bike Ride Saturday
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By West Kentucky Star Staff
May. 19, 2018 | LA CENTER, KY
By West Kentucky Star Staff May. 19, 2018 | 10:00 PM | LA CENTER, KY
The eighth annual Ballard County Wheels and Wings bike ride is Saturday, May 26 at 8 am at the old Ballard County Preschool gym at 455 Olive St. in La Center.

In a continuing effort to get more beginners and families interested in bicycling, organizers have planned another free 5-mile family ride this year, in addition to the 15, 30 and 60-mile paid routes. 

The ride’s purpose has been to offer additional fitness/recreation opportunities to county residents. Last year, the committee made $4,000 in mini-grants to Grace United Methodist Church in LaCenter to help extend its public walking trail, and the new Ballard County Senior Citizens’ Center to be used on exercise equipment. That process remains open for 2018.

The “Wheels and Wings” name is a nod to the county’s waterfowl and wildlife heritage. A duck’s head is incorporated in the logo, and organizers are making barbecued wings a signature item for the post-ride fuel-up. For more information or an entry brochure, please contact Ballard County Community Education Director Julie Thomas at 270-665-8400, ext. 2011, or email julie.thomas@ballard.kyschools.us. 

This year, the Ballard County Chamber of Commerce is partnering with Wheels and Wings for a Wing Cook-Off and vendor event in LaCenter Park. Everyone is welcome to enter, from church teams to individual back-yard chefs. For more information on the event, to enter the cook-off or become a vendor, please contact Myra Hook at the Chamber at 270-665-8722, or email bcchamberinfo@brtc.net.

Organizers say there will be karaoke music and live music, and a number of vendors and local displays will be set up in the park area. Paducah Beer Werks also will set up a tent from 11 am to 2 pm. 

“At other rides, you’ll see different groups at different stops. It boosts their awareness, and really helps support the event. We are always looking for other non-profit groups to host one of the five rest stops around the county. They can use it for awareness of their projects, too,” Thomas said. 

“Because of cyclists’ nutritional needs, especially on the longer rides, the committee will help these groups get ready,” Thomas said. The committee will provide all necessary food (sandwich makings, fruit, hydration); rest stop volunteers will come to Ballard Memorial High School to help with prep after lunch on Friday, May 25, and then will be able to take the food and drinks back with them to serve the next day.

If your non-profit group is interested in staffing a rest stop, please contact Thomas at number or email above. Stops are located at Oscar United Methodist Church Blandville Baptist Church, Providence Baptist Church, Cane Creek Baptist Church and Barlow First Baptist Church, and typically last about two hours.

For prospective riders:
The 5-mile family route is free, and will go out of the preschool, down Hazelwood Road and back. Families or beginners simply need to show up on ride day and fill out a registration form.

The other routes cover nearly all of the Ballard County, including areas from LaCenter to Wickliffe to Oscar to Monkey’s Eyebrow. Cost for this year’s ride is $20 for early registration (through May 11), or $25 on the day of the ride. Tech-fabric shirts with the ride logo also are offered for $10 and will be available for presale only. Children 12 and under may ride free with a registered adult, and there are discounts for families.

For more information, or to volunteer, search Facebook for Ballard County Wheels and Wings, or visit the school district’s webpage at www.ballard.kyschools.us, and look for “Community Education” under the “Departments” tab, or contact Thomas at 270-665-8400, ext. 2011, or email julie.thomas@ballard.kyschools.us. 
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