Published in the July 17, 2019 edition.

By DAN TOMASELLO

LYNNFIELD — It’s almost time to ride.

The highly anticipated Reid’s Ride bike-a-thon will be returning to town on Sunday, July 21. The 15th annual bike trek, totaling 28-miles, will begin at Lynnfield High School and will conclude at Stage Fort Park in Gloucester.

The annual fundraiser honors the life and legacy of Reid Sacco, a LHS graduate who passed away in April 2005 following a courageous two-year fight with sarcoma. The funds raised from the 15th annual Reid’s Ride will be donated to the Reid R. Sacco Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) Cancer Alliance, which funds new treatments for adolescents and young adults fighting cancer in hopes of finding a cure.

“As we look back over the last 15 years, we are proud of how Reid’s Ride and its many supporters quickly became the voice for AYA cancer patients everywhere,” said Lorraine Sacco, Reid’s mom.  “We’re equally proud of the national and global influence Reid’s Ride has had on transforming AYA oncology into a high-profile sub-specialty with its own physician training programs.  All of this means that AYA cancer patients are finally beginning to receive the care and innovative treatments they deserve.”

Proceeds from Reid’s Ride enabled the alliance to launch the Reid R. Sacco AYA Program at Tufts Medical Center in Boston and the Reid R. Sacco AYA Cancer Program at Connecticut Children’s Medical Center in Hartford. The bike-a-thon’s proceeds are also used to grant one or more scholarships each year to Lynnfield High School seniors.

The 14th annual Reid’s Ride raised over $215,000 and featured nearly 400 riders. The ride has raised over $2.75 million over the last 14 years.

The theme for the 15th annual Reid’s Ride is “No More Loose Ends for AYAs diagnosed with cancer.”

“Reid’s Ride continues to stand by its pledge to make sure that no AYA cancer patient will be denied access to the specialized care, breakthrough therapies, and access to clinical trials they so badly need,” said Sacco. “Ultimately, our mission remains to make sure that all AYAs battling cancer are given every chance possible to survive and thrive and to resume a normal trajectory for building careers, raising families and living life to its fullest.”

The bike-a-thon will begin at Lynnfield High School at 7:30 a.m. on Sunday, July 21 and will wrap up at Stage Fort Park in Gloucester.

“Ride’s Ride cyclists pedal on a scenically diverse, quiet and comfortable route from Lynnfield High School to festivities at the finish line at Gloucester’s waterfront Stage Fort Park,” said Sacco.

The 28-mile route is moderately challenging depending on a rider’s cycling experience. Rides of all ages and abilities have conquered the last 14 rides with great success. All riders are required to wear helmets. There will also be technical chase teams monitoring the entire route for riders who need assistance.

Similar to previous years, there will be a rest and refreshment stop set up at Endicott College’s lower parking lot, which is the ride’s halfway point. The lot is located across the Wylie Conference Center and Inn.

Registration information

If townspeople would like to register for the 15th annual Reid’s Ride, they should visit the ride’s fundraising page at https://www.firstgiving.com/Reidsride.

Residents can register to ride, join or create a team of riders, and will be able to create a personal or team fundraising page. Participants can raise funds from family members, friends, classmates and colleagues. Prizes will be awarded to the riders and teams who raise the most funds.

If residents cannot attend this year’s ride, townspeople can become a virtual rider if they want to raise funds in order to fight the cancers impacting adolescents and young adults.

The registration fee for all riders is $100 and the fundraising minimum is $250. The online registration site will close at 12 p.m. on Saturday, July 20. If residents miss the deadline, townspeople will still be able to ride in the event. Registration for same day riders opens at 6:30 a.m. at LHS, where participants can pay the registration fee and the donations collected. Participants will also be able to pick up a complimentary 2019 Reid’s Ride T-shirt and a bib number.

Townspeople will be able to rent traditional or electric bicycles for Reid’s Ride. In order to rent a traditional bike, people should call Urban AdvenTours at 617-670-0637. If a resident wants to rent an electric bike, they should call Cape Ann Electric Bike Rentals’ Kathy Reed at 508-284-0058. Riders should inform both companies they want to rent a bike for Reid’s Ride.