The 2016 8 Lakes Leg Aches Bike Ride was cooler than normal this year but still plenty warm. This Eastern Washington event—a fundraiser for LCS Northwest’s programs in Spokane—has become a tradition and drew approximately 600 riders from around the Pacific Northwest.
“This is my second year riding 8 Lakes,” commented a rider on the 30-mile course. “It’s well organized and a lot of fun!”
So what does it take to put on a great bike ride?
“It takes a village to put on this ride!” exclaimed ride organizer Christie McKee. “We rely on the generosity of local businesses and individuals to help us execute this event. Many of them step up to help us year after year to make 8 Lakes Leg Aches a success.”
This year’s event sponsors were:
- Group Health
- Randall/Danskin Attorneys
- Spokane Oral Surgery – Mark C. Paxton, DDS
- PacifiClean
- SRM Development
- This Bike Life
- EXIT Real Estate Professionals
- Pillar to Post Home Inspectors
- Roast House Coffee
- Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream
- David’s Pizza
This volunteer spent several hours directing riders and traffic on the 8 Lakes course.
But there’s more! The Diakonia Lutheran Women’s Auxiliary provided over 180 dozen home-baked cookies for the five rest stops. More than 80 volunteers contributed to 8 Lakes success by registering riders, marking the ride routes, directing riders at tricky intersections, serving treats and beverages at the rest stops, providing SAG vehicle support and mechanical assistance, offering first aid, and welcoming riders at the finish line.
McKee also expressed her gratitude to the hundreds who pedal 8 Lakes, especially those who collect pledges. She noted that pledge riders really make a difference in the overall amount raised each year. Cathy Harris, Ted Mittelstaedt, Nancy Glazier, and David and Martha Jones have participated as top pledge riders for over 15 years, raising between $1,000 and $2,500 each year.
This year’s 8 Lakes Leg Aches Bike Ride raised almost $70,000. Proceeds benefit LCS Northwest programs, including the Sexual Assault & Family Trauma (SAFeT) Response Center in Spokane. Learn more about our Spokane programs here.
Rider and volunteer David Jones summed it up best when he said, “Businesses and individuals get behind 8 Lakes because it benefits our community. How can we not support an event and an organization that provides such critical services?”
Christie McKee (center) takes a moment to thank long time volunteers and riders Martha and David Jones. The Joneses have participated in 8 Lakes for over 15 years.
