news-record.com

Cyclists will pedal through rural northeastern Guilford County on Saturday to raise awareness about the obesity epidemic.

The event includes a 15-mile “fun ride” for families or new cyclists as well as 31- and 62-mile rides.

“It’s healthy and it’s not a competition,” said Leslie Armeniox, director of Get Healthy Guilford. “A lot of people can cycle, even if maybe they haven’t done it in a while.”

All proceeds will benefit Get Healthy Guilford, a coalition of organizations and individuals in Guilford County. The group promotes a culture and environment that support efforts to eat smart, move more and safely achieve a healthy weight.

In North Carolina, one in three children is obese, Armeniox said. The extra weight significantly increases the child’s risk for heart disease, type II diabetes, hypertension, stroke and some cancers.

The ride is a way to “walk the talk,” Armeniox said. Also, the coalition “wanted to show off ... the beautiful wine country, beautiful farm country” in eastern Guilford County.

The coalition timed the event so cyclists can enjoy the trees’ fall colors.

The rides begin and ends at Grove Winery. Rest stops include Northeast Park and a Calico Farmstead, where participants will sample cheese.

Lunch with wine or other beverage will be provided after the ride. Sweetwater, a local folk/bluegrass band, will provide entertainment, and door prizes from Cycles de Oro will be given away.

Get Healthy Guilford is funded by a grant from the Moses Cone-Wesley Long Community Health Foundation in partnership with the YMCA.

The ride will be sponsored by the YMCA, Grove Winery and Vineyards, Cycles de Oro, Earth Fare, as well as other partners.

Contact Jamie Kennedy Jones at jamie.kennedy@news-record.com or 449-4610