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Delta County Century Ride well-attended

ESCANABA — For almost two decades, the Delta County Century Ride has allowed participants to enjoy the great outdoors in Delta County as summer turns to fall. The annual event, organized by the Delta County Chamber of Commerce, is made possible thanks to the involvement of many different riders, sponsors, and volunteers.

This year’s Century Ride – the 19th overall – was well-attended by visitors and residents of Delta County when it took place on Sunday, Sept. 20. Thanks to the cooperation of weather in the area, temperatures last Sunday were as warm as the event’s reception.

Participants chose from 100K, 78K, 40K, and 13K routes, all of which began and ended at the Gladstone Sports Park.

The food offered to Century Ride participants has become one of the most popular elements of the event over the years, evident by our event tagline – The only thing better than the view at this ride is the food.

Before they set out on their route of choice, riders were able to get ready with a gourmet waffle breakfast at the Gladstone Sports Park Concession Stand. This breakfast was served by Bobaloon’s Café, which has been providing waffles to Century Ride participants for more than five years.

Century Ride participants were also able to enjoy food from local eateries at each of the rest stops. At the first stop, located at the Flat Rock Pavilion, riders had the opportunity to enjoy breakfast and beef pasties, made-to-order smoothies, and baked goods served by Dobber’s Pasties. At the Schaffer rest stop riders were treated to hot dogs, burgers, polish sausage, soda, water and Coffee from the Red Barn Food Wagon. At the final rest stop, riders were able to celebrate the completion of their ride with root beer floats donated by Bink’s Cocal Cola and Rapid River Dairy Flo and food from the Brisket Barn/Jack’s Restaurant.

In addition to great food and great views, the Century Ride is a great day for camaraderie and building relationships.

Among the riders that took a break at the Flat Rock Pavilion rest stop during this year’s Century Ride was Nancy Przewrocki of Escanaba. She said she and her husband Tony Przewrocki – who has a farm in Menominee – have a personal connection to the Century Ride.

In 2011, the team Nancy was planning to ride with changed the time it would be riding at, leaving her without a group. Meanwhile, Tony had plans to ride with his sister, but she was unable to make it.

“I said, ‘well, you can be on my team,’ because my team wasn’t showing up,” Nancy said.

Nancy and Tony spent the entire ride talking to each other, and they went out for dinner afterwards. Their connection lasted long beyond that ride – in 2018, they got married.

The couple has continued to participate in the Century Ride ever since.

“We love this event, and it’s a beautiful day,” Nancy said of 2020’s ride.

The Delta County Century Ride’s major sponsors are OSF HealthCare St. Francis Hospital & Medical Group, Visit Escanaba, and Bink’s Coca-Cola Bottling Co. Other sponsors for the event include Recompose Media; Delta County Nonmotorized Trails (DCNTrails); the Delta County Road Commission; the City of Gladstone; Ambassadors of Delta County; Mr. Bike & Ski; Brampton Bike & Ski; Stenberg Brothers; Rapid River Dairy Flo; Bonnie & Karl Kutz; Taylor, Lord & Hughes; Elmer’s County Market; Walmart; and Kel & Estelle Smyth, along with participating food vendors.

So, now that you know more about the Delta County Century Ride, we hope you will save the date and consider participating on September 19, 2021. You don’t need to be a seasoned cyclist and while we can’t guarantee you will make a love connection; we are sure you will enjoy the views and the food!

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Sheila Krueger is associate director of the Delta County Chamber of Commerce

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