Freeborn County Bike-A-Thon draws out-of-state riders

Saturday’s cold and wet conditions didn’t stop participants of the 41st annual Freeborn County Bike-A-Thon in an effort to raise money for cancer research.

According to Bike-A-Thon organizer LeAnn Juveland, 54 riders from a variety of ages took part.

“We had a rider in a cart who was five and a few nine-year-olds,” she said.

Many participants hailed from Albert Lea, but some came from out of state. Team Navarro, a five-man group had members from three states: Minnesota, Iowa and Colorado.

The Navarro family has been directly effected by cancer, as Robert Navarro died of kidney cancer. Dave Navarro, Rich Navarro, Brian McDonald, Scott Norman and Ramon Navarro rode to honor Robert, Dave said.

Many participants shortened their route instead of completing the 100-mile course with rest stops in Alden, Glenville, Gordonsville, Myrtle, Hayward, Geneva, Hartland, Freeborn, Conger and Albert Lea. Food was available at the rest stops, including bananas, oranges, water, granola bars and hot dogs. Refreshments were provided by generous area businesses, said Jody Dreyling, a volunteer.

A common route was a ride to Glenville and back or a ride to Glenville with a lift back in a pickup. The highest the mercury rose was 42 degrees, and the low was 33.

“There were quite a few people who came but chose not to ride,” Juveland said. “One of them was from Washington D.C., and they’d ridden other years, but they chose not to ride this year, because conditions were horrendous.”

Juveland has been organizing the event for 11 years. The money raised will be presented to the American Cancer Society, she said. A minimum of $35 was needed to enter the Bike-A-Thon, however many participants raised much more. David Anderson of Albert Lea raised $2,100.

“It’s to find a cure,” Anderson said. “That’s great.”