Menu

The Preble County Farm Bureau will host the inaugural Buckeye Bridge Bike Ride June 26. The bicycle ride tours the county’s seven covered bridges with proceeds of the event going to the United Way and the Preble County Historical Society.

"We want to make this an annual event. We want to show off the history of Preble County and we’re taking measures so that by the time the bike ride is over, participants will know a little more about agriculture," said Keith Schmidt, Preble County Farm Bureau member. "For example, we might have a member park a combine on the side of the road with a price tag, participants will go by a buffalo farm and they’ll see a lot if rural Preble County on the trip."

The ride to all seven bridges is 72 miles. There is a shortened ride of 35 miles including four of the bridges or a 15-mile ride with a tour of two bridges. All of the bridges are still in use and the Roberts Covered Bridge is one of three double-barrel bridges left in the United States.

The tour will begin at the Preble County Fairgrounds and lunch will be served at the Preble County Historical Society’s farm. If registered before June 1, riders will get lunch and a commemorative T-shirt. There will be three stops where restrooms and snacks will be available.

Preble County Farm Bureau is looking for sponsors for the T-shirt as well as other items. The county Farm Bureau has run advertisements and more than 20,000 event placemats have been created for local restaurants.

"We really want this to be a fun, enjoyable day," Schmidt said. "We don’t want this to be a race; we want folks to take their time and see what Preble County has to offer."

For more information or to volunteer, call the Preble County Farm Bureau office at 937-456-5400 or visit www.buckeyebridgebikeride.com