Big wheels

Cyclists at Miles for Matheny 2013.

On Wednesday evenings from April through September, as many as 60 cyclists may show up at 2 Main Street in Peapack, NJ, to participate in the Bedminster Flyers Cycling Club weekly ride. The Flyers, a recreational cycling club, has been in the Somerset Hills for more than two decades.

For the 17th annual Miles for Matheny, to be held Sunday, June 1, at Liberty Park in Peapack, the Flyers will once again design five cycling routes, intended to offer every level of cyclist a rewarding challenge. From the Hills of Attrition 50-mile course with steep climbing hills, to the family-friendly, 10-mile ride, there is a perfect course for everyone. Thanks to the Flyers, and thanks to Peapack-Gladstone Bank for once again being the Cycling sponsor at Miles.

In addition to cycling, activities at Miles include the Lu Huggins Wheelchair Walk, a 5K Road Race, a Kids Fun Run and the Breakfast of Champions, provided by The Friends of Matheny. All funds raised at Miles support the Matheny Center of Medicine and Dentistry, which provides medical, dental and therapy care to our inpatients and people with disabilities in communities throughout New Jersey. Other major sponsors, in addition to Peapack-Gladstone Bank, are: Partlow Insurance, Porzio Bromberg & Newman P.C.; WCBS-TV and WCBS Newsradio 880.

For more information, to register or to create a fundraising team page, log onto www.milesformatheny.org or call (908) 234-0011, ext. 260.

Cyclists will have new routes this year.

The five cycling routes at the 15th annual Miles for Matheny will have a new look. After three years with the same routes, Lee Brush, a resident of Annandale and former president of the Bedminster Flyers cycling club, felt it was time for a change. The 12-mile route is now 10 miles, the 23-mile route is now 25 miles and the 32-mile ride is now 35 miles. The 50 miles and Hills of Attrition rides will remain the same.

The 10-mile distance is the “family friendly” route. In the past, it hadn’t been so friendly because there were some difficult hills and the route crossed a highway.

All cycling rides will use the Whitehouse Station branch of our cycling sponsor, Peapack-Gladstone Bank, as a rest stop, reducing our rest stop locations from four to one. This will make delivery and pickup of supplies easier and should be more interesting for the riders and volunteers at the stop.

Miles for Matheny will be held Sunday, April 22, at Liberty Park in downtown Peapack, NJ. The 50-mile and Hills of Attrition rides take off at 10 a.m.; 25 and 35-mile rides start at 10:45 a.m.; and the 10-mile ride leaves at 11:45 a.m.

Miles for Matheny also includes a Kids Fun Run at 11:30 a.m.; a 5K race at 12:15 p.m.; and the Lu Huggins Wheelchair Walk at 1 p.m. All funds raised help support the Matheny Center of Medicine and Dentistry, which provides medical, dental and therapy care to Matheny’s inpatients and to children and adults with disabilities in the community.

For more information, log onto www.milesformatheny.org or call (908) 234-0011, ext. 260.