It was perfect weather for the 11th annual St. Luke’s Hospice Bike Ride held Saturday along the D&L Trail. Coincidentally, it was National Trail Day. At least 265 riders participated, and people of all ages took part. Bicycles were available for those who did not have one.

“All of this benefits our hospice family,” said Bethany Gray, volunteer coordinator for St. Luke’s VNA & Hospice. “It helps to support all the work that St. Luke’s Hospice does for our patients and families, and it helps support families who might need extra help.”

St. Luke’s has an inpatient hospice house in Bethlehem, and also serve 13 counties around the area including Carbon and Monroe.

Dr. Ric Baxter, an avid cyclist, is the hospice physician for the Lehighton area.

“Our office is in Lehighton, but we have patients around the area. We go to their homes to offer them the help they need.”

Diane Hummel-Spruill, Vice President Patient Care Services, St. Luke’s Hospice, thanked the volunteers.

“They did a great job organizing this event. We just want to thank everyone for coming. It’s a great time for everyone, and we’re already looking forward to next year.”

“We have a lot of families riding today,” Gray said. “Further down on the trail there are a series of memorial signs that people chose to have done for their family members.”

One of those riding in honor of a friend was Chelsea Stipe from Richmond, Virginia.

“It’s a group of us riding for our friend, Scott McLaren. His birthday would have been a couple of days from now. He used to ride this ride before he got sick. We call ourselves ‘Scott’s Birthday Riders.’ There are about 25 of us.”

Riders could opt for either the 20- or 30-mile trail ride. Both rides began at the pavilion in Lehighton along the Sgt. Stanley Hoffman Bypass. Cyclists rode south along the trail toward Slatington, ending near the Treichler’s Bridge before making the return trip.

“All proceeds go directly to St. Luke’s Hospice to continue to provide unmatched end-of-life care to patients and families, regardless of their ability to pay,” says Hummel-Spruill.

To learn more about St. Luke’s Visiting Nurses Association and the Hospice program, visit www.slhn.org/visiting-nurse-association/hospice