<b>By Libby Cluett</b><br><a href="mailto:lcluett@mineralwellsindex.com">lcluett@mineralwellsindex.com</a>
Boost the immune system with a vigorous ride through Palo Pinto County at the sixth annual Kiwanis Crazy Kicker Bike Ride.
Get ready now by brushing off bikes, pumping up the tires and getting in gear – literally – for the bike ride of the year on Saturday, Oct. 17. The sixth annual Crazy Kicker bike ride will convene in West City Park.
An Elvis tribute artist will be on hand early to get things rocking and rolling. The American Legion, Post 75 will start the ride at 8 a.m. sharp with a canon blast.
Cyclists of varying ages and abilities will cruise westward through the county on routes with differing difficulty. Ride distances are 100 miles, 100 kilometers, 50 miles, 37 miles and 22 miles.
The three longest rides feature what cyclists call “Cherry Pie Hill” – the route up Farm-to-Market Road 4, between Lone Camp and Palo Pinto. The longest features the county’s three great bodies of water – the Brazos River, Lake Palo Pinto and Possum Kingdom Lake.
The cost is $30 per person. For more information or to register, visit www.kiwaniscrazykicker.com. The first 400 registrants will receive a long-sleeved T-shirt.
Stagner said registration and packet pick up will take place on Friday evening from 6 to 8 p.m. at Nancy’s Italian and Texan Grill on U.S. Highway 180 West.
The ride includes technical support, sags, motorcycle escorts and rest stops with delicious goodies.
Proceeds go to youth programs sponsored by the Mineral Wells Kiwanis Club, “Helping motivate, reward, clothe and educate our youth.”
“I think we’re going to have a good turnout,” said Crazy Kicker coordinator Lyn Butcher. She said 100 people have preregistered and “three-fourth [of riders] usually register the day of the ride.”
Butcher suggests for people to “come ride or volunteer.” To volunteer call 682-8451.
Sponsors include the Mineral Wells Area Chamber of Commerce, Century 21 Properties Unlimited, Farm Bureau Insurance, Jack Powell Ford Mercury, First Financial Bank, Moore and Moore Attorneys, First State Bank, Crawford, Carter and Thompson LLP, The Booksatchell and Brazos Crematorium.
