Neche / Pembina RRT from Helps at The Flatlander Bike Ride in Fargo, ND.

September 10, 2016 found the RRT Teams from Neche & Pembina leaving bright & early to assist the Rotary Clubs of the Fargo / Moorhead area with their 4^th annual ‘The Flatlander’ bike ride.  This was the 2^nd year RRT helped out with this event.  Every year the proceeds from this event go towards a charitable organization and this year’s organization was Gigi’s Playhouse in Fargo, ND.

Riders getting ready to go

This is a non-profit organization that serves people with Down syndrome and their caregivers.  Each playhouse serves children and adults of all ages and provides educational and therapeutic programs at no charge to families; and in a format that individuals with Down Syndrome learn best.

The president of Gigi’s Playhouse – Fargo and her family.  The youngest son has Down Syndrome.

The day dawned bright and clear, but despite the cold temperatures, spirits were very high!!  The RRT volunteers arrived at 7:00 am to help set up and assist in any way they could.  There were four rides throughout the day with the first ride, the 62 mile, leaving at 8:00 am. The 44 and 24 mile rides left at 9:00 am and the Family Ride (11 miles) left at 9:45 am.

‘The Family Ride’ Bikers All Ready To Head Out

 

And the 62 mile bikers are on there way!

 

RRT volunteers along the route to ensure safety

RRT volunteers manned one of the rest stops along the route to provide the riders with water and refreshments. Eight RRT volunteers were part of the traffic control team that assisted the riders on the route through the city.  RRT also helped the coordinators grill burgers for the lunch that was served to the riders after they returned from their rides as well as helping with the meal set up.

Returning cyclists

By 1:00 pm all the riders had returned from their rides, gotten their medals for completing the event and were enjoying the picnic lunch.

The Rotary Club asked RRT to hand out medals to all the riders as they returned.  These were a huge hit with the kids!!

 

Barbecuing hamburgers for the participants

This marked another event that the RRT volunteers were glad to be a part of and help to support a worthy cause in the community.