Ride the Range members take a moment to enjoy the scenery while on their seven-day journey last week. Pictured, from left: Steve Lucas, Anne Brickman, Keith Geis and Tom Holt. (Courtesy photo)

Seven days of bicycling across the state and beyond is not something everyone can accomplish. Four locals did just that, however, after taking part in the second annual Ride the Range.

Ride the Range, spearheaded by Keith Geis of Wheatland, is a fundraiser aimed at raising money for both the Platte County Memorial Hospital and Nursing Home.

Geis said as someone who rides his bicycle often, he might as well find a way to benefit the community. Ride the Range was born from this. In 2008 Geis and four other cyclists ventured off for the first Ride the Range.

While Geis was the only Wyoming cyclist for the 2008 fundraiser, three other local residents joined him on this year's excursion. Anne Brickman, Tom Holt, Steve Lucas and Geis set off on their seven-day adventure early Saturday morning, July 18 after saying goodbyes to family members and friends.

From there, they cycled to Laramie. They started to get into more of a mountainous area after cycling to Walden. From Walden, they made their way to Steamboat Springs, Colo. They went from there to Craig, Colo. and on over to Baggs, Wyo.

The road between Craig and Baggs didn't have a shoulder and was considered one of the most challenging stretches of the trip.

From Baggs, the group went up over the Sierra Madres to Saratoga.

"That was probably our second most challenging day in my opinion," Geis said, "because once again you're climbing out of the river bottom all the way over the continental divide."

The next day the group went from Saratoga to Laramie. From Laramie, the group made their way back home to Wheatland.

Geis recalled that on one day during their week-long journey, temperatures got up to 110 degrees coming off the pavement. The group, however, managed to stay hydrated for the duration of the trip.

Geis said although there were some challenging grades on this year's route, it was a good experience.

"Everything went really well," Geis said. There were no accidents on the trip and no flat tires for the four cyclists.

The seven-day bicycle ride covered a total of 516 miles with a 23,906 ft. of climb. The cyclists average a total of 75 miles a day.

Holt of Douglas, said while he'd been on daily bicycle trips, he'd never been on a trek that long.

"It was such a comradery building event," he said.

Holt added it was a personal challenge for him. The longest ride the four took on was 83 miles. Holt said it's a challenge for anyone, no matter what your physical level.

In order to be physically ready for the trip, Geis had trained eight to 12 hours per week since the beginning of the year.

Lucas, who competes in triathlons, said he's always been into cycling and thought this would be a fun challenge.

"It went great. It was a lot of fun," Lucas said. "It was very relaxing to get away and only worry about riding to the next town."

Brickman, an RN with Platte County Memorial Hospital, said the trip was a great experience.

"I'm glad I did it," she said.

After seven days of cycling, it was nice to return home, Geis said. However, after settling in the day they returned to Wheatland, there was already talk of where they would cycle to next year.

"So, it was a lot of work but everybody came away with enthusiasm," Geis said.

At this time nearly $11,000 has been raised through this endeavor. Although a majority of funds raised last year came from outside the local area, the bulk of funds for this year's event were received locally.

Brickman said she'd like to thank the people who donated funds towards this cause.

"It was a great fundraiser," she said.

The Platte County Memorial Hospital Foundation Board will have the responsibility of the stewardship of these funds.

The Board will look at the requests of the hospital and nursing home on an individual basis and identify how they will enhance the quality of healthcare in our community.

Donations for this fundraiser are still being accepted. For more information on how to donate, please contact Platte Valley Bank at (307) 322-9215.