It’s not too late to join in the fun!

ADEC’s 45th annual (Walk, Run or) Ride-A-Bike will roll out at 9 a.m. May 20 at Northridge High School. Ride-A-Bike serves as the main fundraiser for ADEC, a nonprofit that serves more than 1,000 people with intellectual and developmental disabilities so they can lead lives full of choice and possibility.

This year’s event will feature new routes, free massages, family fun and a pre-party the night before – plus so much more.

Online registration will be open through May 17 at adecinc.com/bike, and participants can also register on-site from 5:30-7:30 p.m. May 19 and until 10 minutes before the ride on May 20. The registration cost is $30 for adults, $15 for students and $10 for clients.

Thanks to generous corporate sponsors who covered the costs of the event, every penny of each registration fee and donation will go directly to helping ADEC clients.

“Ride-A-Bike is a chance for the community to not only show support for people with disabilities, but get to know them,” said Jessica Koscher, ADEC’s Chief Development Officer. “Our clients look forward to Ride-A-Bike every year. Some of them train through the spring and line up at the start line, and others create inspirational signs and cheer on the riders, walkers and runners. The energy is incredible.”

Some highlights of ADEC’s 45th annual (Walk, Run or) Ride-A-Bike:

?To celebrate ADEC’s 65th anniversary as a nonprofit and the 45th running of Ride-A-Bike, this year’s event will feature special 45-mile and 65-mile anniversary routes. Both long routes will wind through the Bristol fruit hills, meander through Amishland and feature the Pumpkinvine Nature Trail.

?Enhanced support and gear stops have been added along the routes this year, with the two main stops being at Krider Gardens along the Pumpkinvine Nature Trail and at the Trading Place Pavilion in Shipshewana. At Krider Gardens, families can enjoy arts and crafts, snacks and fun for all ages. In Shipshewana, riders will be treated to a free massage and food to fuel the remainder of the ride.

?Teams of up to five riders are encouraged to accept ADEC’s new team challenge. Any team that raises at least $10,000 will receive a gift certificate for a fancy dinner on ADEC. Any team that raises at least $20,000 will receive a hotel gift certificate for a weekend getaway in addition to dinner on ADEC.

?In an effort to increase youth participation, ADEC has introduced a School Spirit Showdown. The school with the most students registered will be awarded $500 to be used on equipment to make physical education more accessible to students of all abilities.

?Because all the fun cannot be contained to one day, everyone is also invited to a free pre-party from 5:30-7:30 p.m. May 19, also at Northridge High School. Participants can pick up their packets at that time, eat free pizza and enjoy music by folk artist Faybrianne Joy.

People who cannot attend the event on May 20 can still support ADEC by making a donation online at adecinc.com/bike.

Money from Ride-A-Bike will help people with disabilities discover their potential and find their home in the community. All contributions support ADEC’s mission of serving people with disabilities so they can live A life of their own with Dignity, the opportunity for Employment and to be a part of the Community.

To learn more about ADEC, visit adecinc.com or facebook.com/ADECservices.