Sign up and ride

So have YOU signed up for a summer fund-raising ride yet? Now's the time to get on board for one of the many events around the state that raise money for worthwhile charities.

You can start with the Women's Ride for Heart Health on June 1 as a tune-up for the Trek Across Maine (June 13-15), use the Tour de Cure on June 22 as a cool down and then get ready for the rest of the summer's schedule:

The Maine Bike Rally (July 11-13), the Lobster Ride & Roll (July 26), the MS Bike to the Breakwater (Aug. 2-3) and the Ride for Autism: Break the Cycle (Aug. 23). Find these events and many, many more through the Bicycle Coalition of Maine.

If you're a biker and you haven't participated in one of these events yet, you're missing out. The Trek's arguably the toughest because it spans three days — which means you've got to get your sore butt back on the bike seat two more times after you congratulate yourself for surviving the first day.

But here are three reasons why the Trek really isn't as hard as you think: 1. The rest stops; 2. The volunteers; 3. The rush.

The rest stops come about every 15-20 miles. So, if you can ride from Portland to Cumberland and back, you can handle the miles between the Gatorade and PB&J breaks. Divide the 60-mile days by their four rest stops and the Trek because far less daunting.

The volunteers help you keep pedaling. One's always dressed in a clown suit, someone's ringing a cow bell and everyone's making food and pouring Gatorade as fast as they can. Their support is amazing, and so is the food they dish out. The overnight after Day 1 is spent at UMF where baked potatoes with cheese, chili or whatever you want are waiting when you pull in. Night 2 is at Colby. Finish that day and the volunteers are waiting for you with pizza and ice cream.

The rush hits you twice: At the start and at the finish. Imagine (if you've never done it), starting off from on high at Sunday River and streaking down the mountain with more than 50 other cyclists surrounding you. It's sweat and goosebumps all at the same time. At the finish, the crowds line up to cheer in every finisher. But whether someone's cheering or not, when you cross that finish line you've done something you probably thought you never could.

It isn't easy, but once you do it, you'll want to do it again. But first you've got to sign up at ALA of Maine.