Peach Pedal Bike Ride organizers say this year's event drew over 2,300 riders Saturday, shattering its record for participants.

"It felt like the hottest ride we've had in the last seven years or so, but, fortunately, it was our biggest, most successful event as well," said Brent Baker, ride director. "It was amazing to see so many people from all over the state of Texas and beyond here in Parker County. What a day."

The event, organized by the Weatherford College Foundation and the Weatherford Chamber of Commerce, has run for 21 years through the rural roads of Brock, Dennis and Millsap and back to Weatherford High School. The WC Foundation will use this year's funds to support scholarships, while the Chamber utilizes the proceeds for a variety of programs to boost the Weatherford community.

"Even though it was extremely hot, we were blessed to only have a handful of minor medical issues," Baker said. "The riders took more time to finish the route than in years past, which was understandable considering the conditions."

The ride featured routes of 100K (62 miles), 39 miles, 26 miles and nine miles.
Baker said the event's biggest drawing card, along with the beautiful countryside, is the people of Parker County.

"We have several hundred volunteers that make this event, and every year the riders comment on the friendly and helpful folks of this community. That's a big plus."

Groups that volunteered this year include the office of Dr. Steve Wood; Weatherford College employees; the Rotary Club; the Evening Lions Club; WC Phi Theta Kappa; the office of Dr. Robert Penny; the Greenwood Volunteer Fire Department; Newberry Cumberland Presbyterian Church; the "Designing Women" led by Elizabeth Bozzell; the Amateur Radio Club of Parker County; Parker County CERT Team; the Weatherford Police and Fire departments; the City of Weatherford Sanitation and Utilities departments; the office of Precinct #3 Commissioner John Roth; Durant Toyota; the WC Police Academy; the Phoenix Masonic Lodge; Brock Baptist Church; Millsap Church of Christ; Bob and Nan Kingsley; Parker County Juvenile Probation and several Boy Scout and Cub Scout groups.

Sponsors this year included Durant Toyota; First National Bank; EECU; M.P. Electric; Rosa's Café; Super Save; Power Service Diesel Additives and Albertson's.

The 22nd annual Peach Pedal Bike Ride will be held July 10, 2010. For more information, go to www.peachpedal.com.

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