MCC Ohio Bike Ride team enjoys a tour through Amish Country

A quintet of bicycle riders joined the crowded cast at the annual Ohio Mennonite Relief Sale on Saturday, July 13, but unlike most bicycles at the event, these weren’t powered by battery but rather good, old-fashioned heart and soul.

The five riders were part of the Mennonite Central Committee Ohio Bike Ride and were enjoying taking a break on the first leg of their two-day ride.

This marks the fifth year of the MCC Ohio Bike Ride, and this group started its adventure in 2020 during COVID when MCC was celebrating its 100th anniversary.

They were encouraging people to do a 100-mile bike ride to celebrate the 100th year anniversary,” said Brandon King of Apple Creek, who took charge in developing this year’s route that took them all over Wayne and Holmes counties.

In that initial year, they raised $1,000, but more importantly, they began developing relationships with new friends that have held the test of time since.

The second year the trek grew in numbers, and the team split their travels up into two 50-mile journeys on consecutive days.

The group has traveled through different areas of Ohio, creating new trips that are great for sightseeing.

While enjoying the scenery, King said they ask that each rider raises funds for MCC, which made this trip special because the group actually made a stop at Ohio Mennonite Relief Sale, which is designed to raise money in a big way for MCC.

This year the team raised money for MCC’s Gaza Relief Project, which helps provide food, water and medical care in Gaza.

Ethan Horst from Barberton helped organize the crew a couple years ago, and he said it has been an invigorating adventure ever since.

Horst said the West Coast MCC has featured a bike ride for many years, and he had been riding there, but when the pandemic arose and travel became difficult, a new, closer-to-home ride cropped up in Ohio.

In braving the heat and hills of Amish Country, the five-man crew had to work through plenty of challenges but enjoyed each stage and both days.

“It’s a small, relatively informal ride where we like to get out, ride bike and raise money for a good cause,” Horst said. “You’ve got 50 miles a day to just talk to someone next to you. It’s a great time to really get to know someone.”

In addition to the 100-mile challenge, that initial Ohio ride during the pandemic was special for Horst, who was coming off a complete hip replacement and wanted the challenge to see if he could handle it.

“I love the challenge and the camaraderie,” Horst said.

“It definitely helps us grow closer together,” King said, adding they were enjoying the air-conditioning in the Mt. Hope Event Center and were looking forward to carbing up on sausage patties, egg rolls and homemade ice cream at the relief sale.

The hills and the heat became the most challenging parts of the long, circuitous bike route from Kidron to Mt. Hope, where they explored all types of back roads and byways before settling into camp in Kidron following day one’s difficult challenge. On day two they set sail north to Canal Fulton and back.

“Since my home this year was kind of our base camp, I designed the course,” King said. “It’s been an enjoyable experience.”

Other riders this year included Avery Zook of Doylestown, Claude Schrock from Grabill, Indiana and Declan Smithies from Columbus.

Each member joined the team for a number of reasons, but all agreed the fellowship has been nothing short of encouraging and beautiful as they enjoy chewing up the miles together.

For more information or if you’d like to join the ride next year, connect with the team at ohiobikeride@gmail.com.