High Definition Movie (1080p) (click here) 13 minutes
Smartphone size Movie (480p) (click here) 13 minutes
Photos and video by Michael Gordon.
Event organized by Nelson Palmer in collaboration with Crossroads of the West Council of Scouts BSA. Nelson Palmer has organized this event each year beginning in 2008. He rode in the event in 2007. Representing the council: Erik Merkely, District Executive of Old Ephraim District, and Jeremy Bell, Camp Director. Also present were other members of the council including Joshua Haacke, program director; Jake Bangerter, DE for Weber Rapids District.
Bike the Bear 2020
By Michael Gordon [with edits provided by Nelson Palmer]
"Any questions? Ready? Go!" says Nelson Palmer at 7:30 a.m. sharp to the first cohort of riders. This was the start of the 2020 Bike The Bear, a 50 mile bicycle ride around Bear Lake, which was held on Saturday, September 26. The 250+ riders started in small groups to reduce the spread of the SARS-COV-2 virus that has been causing the Covid-19 disease in the United States since March. Many events have been cancelled nationwide because of it. Many precautions were taken for this event to happen.
Mr. Palmer, an avid bicyclist that rides almost every day, was the organizer of the 13th annual Bike the Bear 50 which was sponsored by the Crossroads of the West Council of Scouting BSA, providing the camp and aid stations. Riders camped overnight at the "BLAB", Bear Lake Aquatics Base on the east side of Bear Lake, about 5 miles north of Laketown. Dinner was served by volunteers to the campers, which included roasted chicken pasta provided by Firehouse Pizzaria in Garden City. It was delicious!
Members of Bridgerland Amateur Radio Club provided communications support at each aid station as well as roving patrol. Staffing at each food and aid station was organized by the Order of the Arrow, a scouting service organization. Joy Ride Bicycles of Logan, Utah, came with a large mobile bicycle repair shop to give assistance to many riders.
The first riders swiftly reached Camp Hunt on the west side north of Garden City in only 45 minutes, despite headwinds coming from the north at about 15 knots. The forecast had been for a chilly 45 degrees but instead everyone woke up to a nearly balmy 60 degrees where it stayed for most of the day. The riders enjoyed a flat section of road on the north side of the lake, then had to battle the rolling hills on the east side before reaching the finish line.
One scout, when he finished, took out a piece of paper and wrote in the start and stop times for his ride. He had a paper of a total of 7 Bike the Bear rides he had recorded. It is great that this event has attracted return participants year to year and some new riders too.
Most of the 50 mile riders came in by 2 pm. By then a few riders had completed a second lap around the lake for a total of 100 miles.The last 50 mile rider came in about 5:30pm. His sister awarded him his finisher’s medal. She hugged him as he crossed the finish line. That was awesome.
One 8 year old girl was very proud of herself for making it all the way to St. Charles, Idaho, approximately 28 miles. She did her very best. She said that she wants to come back next year and go all the way around the lake.
The troops of youth, both boys and girls, participated as riders, as well as leaders, parents and other community members. A few Scouting employees and many volunteers worked together to make this event a success.
Scouting is still alive and well in our area, helping youth do hard things and becoming better citizens.
Hoping to see y'all next year!
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