Rockies announcer Schemmel to attempt record-breaking bike ride for charity

MHS Staff

6 years ago

Rockies radio announcer Jerry Schemmel and Julie Lyons, Co-Founder of Love, Sweat & Gears, are planning on attempting something never before done in the state of Colorado – setting four world records for crossing the state of Colorado in one summer. Jerry and Julie will be challenging themselves to race across Colorado in four directions, solidifying a record in each crossing, all while raising funds for Race to Read – a nonprofit sponsored by the Bandimere Speedway Family of Colorado – and Project ReCycle; charities that improve the lives and the futures of children across the state.

The challenge looks like this:

May 31, 2018 – starting from Raton Pass at the Colorado/New Mexico border, the Double J’s will ride south to north across Colorado ending north of Ft. Collins at the Colorado/Wyoming border – 320 miles.
July 23, 2018 – starting in Holly at the Colorado/Kansas border, the Double J’s will ride east to west across Colorado ending just West of Grand Junction at the Colorado/Utah border – 640 miles.
August 20, 2018 – starting from north of Ft. Collins, the Double J’s double back to Raton Pass for a north to south crossing – 320 miles.
September 6, 2018 – starting west of Grand Junction, the Double J’s double back to Kansas for a west to east crossing – 640 miles.

All of these records will be fully crewed, officiated and recorded by the World Ultramarathon Cycling Association (WUCA).

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Award-Winning “Race to Read”® Program Provides a Fun, Race-Themed Incentive for Elementary-Age Students

For the past 21 years, Bandimere Speedway has been conducting a reading program in local elementary schools. Started during the ’95-96 school year, at Rooney Ranch Elementary School in Lakewood, Colorado. The program continues to thrive, with 63 schools participating in 2017, the program has been in 206 different Colorado schools since 1996. The support from racers and businesses through a variety of innovative ways have helped the program in its growth while further stating Bandimere Speedway’s commitment to the community, young people, education, and families.

What is “Race to Read”®?

“Race to Read”®, is a six-week reading program, designed to encourage literacy by providing an exciting race-themed incentive for preschool and elementary-age students. The program can also be customized by schools to fit most any special education requirement for participating students.

“Race to Read”® is a six-week program that starts in March and ends in May, two weeks prior to the speedway’s season-opening event, the NAPA Auto Parts “Night of Fire & Thunder”, scheduled for a Saturday in the middle of May. In 2018, the dates for the program are March 26 through May 4. Prizes are awarded when students complete Take-Home Reading sheets provided by the program. Complimentary tickets for the reader and one accompanying adult to the “Night of Fire & Thunder” event are offered as prize incentives during the reading program.

“Race to Read”® has its roots at Jefferson County’s Rooney Ranch Elementary School in Lakewood, Colorado, where it helped kick-off the school’s inaugural year in 1995/1996. The response by the school community was tremendous and prompted many contacts from other schools interested in establishing the program for their students. In 1997, the program was expanded to eight schools with the same positive response.

How can you get involved with “Race to Read®”?

Because this program strives to be self-supportive through the Bandimere Family Foundation, your tax-deductible donation is extremely helpful in providing important funds as this program continues to reach more students each year. Your check can be made out to the “Bandimere Family Foundation”, a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization, and mailed “Attention: “Race to Read” to the Bandimere Speedway offices, 3051 South Rooney Road, Morrison, CO 80465. A donation receipt will be mailed to you for tax purposes.

The program also benefits from your vehicle donation through carshelpingcharities.org.