Sunday, May 20, 2012
8:00 a.m.
Valparaiso, Nebraska

Join us once again for a fun and enjoyable bike ride as the University Sertoma Club of Lincoln sponsors the 13th Annual Oak Creek Valley Bike Ride on Sunday, May 20, 2012 starting in Valparaiso, Nebraska. Valparaiso is located approximately 18 miles north of Lincoln, Nebraska on Highway 79.

Free T-Shirts to riders who pre-register by May 12, 2012.

This fundraiser benefits the many sponsorships of University Sertoma Club. We raise and donate approximately $10,000 annually to local sponsorships including the Great Plains Trails Network, Nebraska Stroke Foundation, Prescott Elementary School, Scholorships for UNL Hearing and Speech Students, Salvation Army Youth, and Camp Sertoma for children with hearing disabilities.

Choose from several distances of 24, 31, 39, 44, 46 and 70 miles so you can decide how far you want to ride. The routes include nearby Nebraska highways, a paved county road or stretches of natural prairie, oak woodlands and highland vistas on the Oak Creek Trail.

Registration

Registration forms will be available at most local bike shops and fitness centers in Lincoln and Omaha. Or log onto http://sertoma.net/bikeride.pdf

Start Time

Check-in is from 7:30 - 8:00 a.m. the day of the ride at the Trailhead at the North Oak Bridge in Valparaiso, located between West 2nd Street and North Oak Street (about two blocks west from Highway 79). Everyone must check-in to make sure you are properly registered and the liability waiver is signed. Support from The Bike Rack will be available at the start and during the ride. Water will be available at the start. Parking is available nearby.

The ride begins Sunday morning, May 12, 2012, at 8:00 a.m. after a brief welcome at the trailhead at the North Oak Bridge.

Entry Fee

Pre-registration - $25.00 - Single Rider / $50.00 - Family

  • Entries must be postmarked by May 12, 2012
  • Includes T-shirt
  • Children age 12 and under, ride free (must be accompanied by an adult)

After May 12 - and Day of Ride - $25.00 - Single Rider / $50.00 - Family

  • No T-shirt

One Registration Form per rider, please.

There will be No Refunds, No Rain Dates.

SAG Support

We will have SAG support (rest stops) available every 8-10 miles on the highways and one rest stop at the end of the Oak Creek Trail with fruit, water and snacks. The Bike Rack will be one of two roving SAG vehicles. Each SAG vehicle will have water, fruit, snacks and bike supplies. They will also be in touch with the registration site in case of emergencies.

There will be no 'official' SAG stop on County Road 'S', but you're welcome to stop in at Husker Bar II in Brainard or Cy's Cafe in Dwight. They will be happy to fill your water bottles for you.

There will be NO SAG support after 2:00 p.m.

Restrooms are available near the Trailhead at the North Oak Bridge in Valparaiso. They are also available in Brainard and Dwight.

Safety

Helmets and protective clothing are required for all riders. Cool spring temperatures, wind or even heat and humidity can be dangerous. Be sure to drink plenty of water prior to and during this event. Roads are open to traffic, so please obey all traffic and safety rules. All riders must sign the liability waiver that is on the registration form, before the ride. All ages are welcome; however, those under age 18 must ride with a parent or guardian. Riders under 18 years old must have a parent or guardian sign their waiver before the ride.

Distances

All routes start and stop in Valparaiso. Choose from distances of approximately 24, 31, 39, 44, 46 and 70 miles and decide how far you want to ride. Bike at your own pace, this is not a race. Suggested routes with approximate distances:

24 Miles - Oak Creek Trail Only
31 Miles - Oak Creek Trail & County Road 'S'
39 Miles - Highways & County Road 'S'
44 Miles - Oak Creek Trail and highways
46 Miles - All highways
70 Miles - All highways

Detailed Map

Detailed maps will be available the day of the ride. You can also download a detailed map of the routes at http://sertoma.net/bikemap.pdf.

How to Get to Valparaiso

Take Hwy 34 northwest out of Lincoln until you reach Hwy 79. Take Hwy 79 north approximately 18 miles from Lincoln. Registration area is at the trailhead at the North Oak Bridge in Valparaiso, between West 2nd and North Oak Streets, about two blocks west of Highway 79.

Coming from the Omaha area, take Hwy 6 to Wahoo. Turn south on Hwy 77 to Ceresco. Turn west and take Hwy 66 into Valparaiso.

Coming from the west, take Hwy 34 to Hwy 79. Take Hwy 79 directly into Valparaiso.

Further Information

If you have questions, or need additional information, call:

Kathy Anderson - 402-430-6084 or dkanderson@windstream.net
Mary Torell - 402-429-5753

After the Ride

Enjoy a burger and beverage at one of the bars in Valparaiso with other cyclists.

Past Oak Creek Valley Bike Rides

Thank you for your participation and growing support of this bike ride. The proceeds from the rides have gone to support many worthwhile causes including:

In 2011 - Elliott Elementary School in Lincoln and the great Plains Trails Network.

In 2010 – Great Plains Trails Network, Nebraska Stroke Foundation, and Elliott Elementary School in Lincoln.

In 2009 - Great Plains Trails Network and a new running track for students of Elliott Elementary School in Lincoln.

In 2008 - Great Plains Trails Network and Elliott Elementary School.

In 2007 - Jamaica North Trail in southwest Lincoln and Children's BackPack Program.

In 2006 - Camp scholarships so kids with hearing disabilities could attend Camp Sertoma, the Sertoma Hearing Aid Bank, and the Children's BackPack Program.

In 2005 - Lincoln area bike trails and Sertoma Hearing Aid Bank.

In 2004 - Camp scholarships so kids with hearing disabilities could attend Camp Sertoma.

In 2003 - Elliott Elementary School and other University Sertoma sponsorships.

In 2002 - Oak Creek Trail for the completion of the trail connection into Brainard.

In 2001 - Salvation Army and to Lincoln area trails.

In 2000 - Various University Sertoma sponsorships.

About University Sertoma

The University Sertoma Club of Lincoln is one of eight volunteer Sertoma Clubs in Lincoln. Sertoma is an international organization that exists for the purpose of SERvice TO MAnkind. One of Sertoma's main focuses is better speech and hearing.

University Sertoma sponsors activities that are often youth-centered and include a wide variety of projects to better our community through financial support as well as direct involvement. Some of the activities and sponsorships our club has been involved with include Elliott Elementary School, scholarships for UNL audiology majors, Great Plains Trails Network, bell ringing for the Salvation Army, Lincoln Paint-a-Thon, Lincoln Action Program Holiday Gift Giving, Relay for Life, Safe Quarters for Friendship Home, the Food Bank of Lincoln, and the BackPack Program. For more information on Sertoma, please contact Membership Chair Connie Wesslund at 402-464-2048

Links

Great Plains Trails Network

Great Plains Bicycling Club

Special Thanks to Our Sponsors