Kellen ride reminds community of bike safety

The fourth annual Kellen Lund Memorial Bike Ride will be Saturday at 10:30 a.m at Pepin Park.

The ride was designed to remember Kellen, who died in 2009, when a grain truck struck him while he was walking his bike across the viaduct on 7th Avenue. The ride is also focused on raising driver awareness by reminding the community that everyone shares the road — pedestrians, bikers, and drivers alike.

The entire event is open to the public and free, although donations are accepted to cover event costs.

Pre-registration is encouraged, and can be done by filling out a brief form at http://www.kellenmemorialride.com.

Day-of registration begins at 9 a.m, and the ride starts at 10:30 a.m.

Jeri Zorn, Kellen’s mother and one of the event organizers said, “we usually have about 250 riders and 60 volunteers.”

She expects about the same amount this year, although the group pushes for a larger turnout each year.

There are two different routes, a 3 mile and a 5 mile, each beginning and ending at Pepin park. Zorn said that people are encouraged to walk as well as ride bikes, especially on the 3-mile loop.

After the ride there will be music provided by Holden’s Hot Wheels and a barbeque. There will also be a raffle to give away a guitar, which has been displayed in the window of Cavaliers.

Zorn said of Kellen, “He loved bike riding and he loved music.” These two passions explain the entire event. The money raised from the guitar raffle goes toward scholarships for music lessons for children. Other prizes include LED bicycle lights, water bottles, and six bikes.

There will be other competitions like a ‘slowest race’ contest, where a participant must ride from one point to another without touching the ground for balance. The slowest time wins. On the other hand, there is a race weaving in and out of cones, where the fastest time wins. Both winners will receive a chamber gift certificate.

People of all ages are encouraged to attend.

“It’s a family fun event,” said Zorn. It raises awareness, while also promoting physical activity, and most of all, fun.