Final day of 180-mile journey spent in soggy weather

Sun, 06/21/2015 - 16:01

Erica Thoms

(photo by Erica Thoms)

BELFAST — More than 2,000 cyclists rode down Miller Street to Steamboat Landing in Belfast this afternoon, June 21, marking an end to the 2015 Trek Across Maine.

The Trek Across Maine, which benefits the American Lung Association, is part of a series of annual Treks Across New England cycling events, held by the association.

So far this year, the events have raised a collective $750,000 for the American Lung Association.

The Trek Across Maine begins at Sunday River, in Newry, and finishes three days and 180 miles later at Belfast’s seaside. The event is open to groups and individuals, provided they meet the seven-year-old age minimum for participation.

Athenahealth and L.L. Bean raised the largest donations for team participants in this year’s Trek Across Maine, with $138,687 and $117,849, respectively.

Shawn Sabine was the largest individual donor, raising $15,850 for the American Lung Association. Cory Lathrop raised the second largest individual donation with $9,423.

While the constant rain meant a substantially smaller crowd to welcome participants, the finishing stretch was still cluttered with rubber boots and umbrellas.

Riders wore a variety of items in an effort to combat the chilly drizzle, from those covered in water-resistant clothing, to others braving the weather in little more than bike clothes and covered helmets. Almost every arrival wore a smile.

Cow bells and applause were almost as constant as the rain, cheering on the efforts of the riders and celebrating the event’s conclusion.

“We really earned it this year,” one rider said to a companion, laughing.

The companion agreed, but was focused on more pressing matters. “All right,” he said, “let’s get food.”

Erica Thoms can be reached at news@penbaypilot.com