Annual bike ride raises money for hunger

The 20th annual Nebraska Methodist Bike Ride for Hunger (NUMB) will begin in Ogallala on Saturday evening.

Since the first ride in 1996, NUMB has contributed more than $700,000 to help alleviate hunger in Nebraska and around the world while also raising awareness. This year's ride consists of a more than 245-mile loop that starts and ends in Ogallala.

Approximately 150 riders from across the nation meet in Nebraska each year to be a part of this tour. Route Director Greg Bakewell of Omaha designs a route to take riders to different parts of Nebraska.

Cyclists will provide their own tents, multi-speed bikes and other gear needed for the trip. Omaha Bike Masters and Nebraska Cycling & Fitness of Columbus will be on traveling with the rides for repairs and parts.

Support vehicles will provide transportation for tents and luggage. Stops along the route will provided snacks and water every 10 to 12 miles.

The cyclists will arrive in Sidney on Sunday and spend the night at the First United Methodist Church. They will spend the day exploring and riding around the Sidney area.

"The riders will arrive around noon on Sunday and we will provide them with an evening meal," said Rev. Thomas Hyde of the First United Methodist Church in Sidney. "They will be camping on the grounds of the church and Monday morning we will provide them with breakfast before they ride to Haxton."

Rev. Bill Ritter of Lincoln, Neb., is the founder and Director of the ride. This year the NUMB ride is being referred to as the "Boomerang Down Under Ride because in NUMB's 20 years, there have only been two towns to repeat as hosts including Ogallala.

Although the first NUMB did not happen until 1996, the kickstart for the tour dates back to 1992. Bakewell and Ritter had never met and both signed up for a Habitat for Humanity Charity Ride. They bonded over their faith as well as the many bike rides they ran into each other at over the years.

While the two were riding on a tour, they were forced to sit out a rain storm in a hog barn in northern Nebraska, NUMB started to take shape. Bakewell and Ritter decided to start their own bike ride and raise money and publicity for the United Methodist Nebraska Conference Hunger Committee Projects.

In 1996, when more people became dedicated to feeding the hungry than riding bikes many miles and times were spent riding while raising awareness. During the 15th year of riding, the cyclists covered all 93 counties in Nebraska while donations approached half of a million dollars.

"We are really looking forward to raising money to fight hunger," said Regina Bergman of NUMB. "The majority of the riders are from Nebraska, but riders from Alaska, West Virginia, Illinois, South Dakota and Missouri will be participating. Last year we raised $70,000 so we want to top that this year."

The NUMB 2015 route is: Ogallala to Sidney, Sidney to Haxton, Col., Haxton to Imperial, Neb., and Imperial back to Ogallala ending July 1.