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April 15, 2010
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Medcenter One Great American Bike Race participants raise a record $220,000

BISMARCK, N.D.—The 14th annual Medcenter One Great American Bike Race (GABR), held Saturday, April 10 at Century High School, raised more than $220,000.

The 2010 GABR included 100 teams of 10 riders each who biked a combined 16,109.41 miles in an effort to raise money for families who have children with cerebral palsy (CP) and related disabilities. Additionally, three teams of 10 grandmas and grandpas, the “Grammas and Grampas Rock,” rocked in rocking chairs during the event and raised $2,554.

CP is a physical disability caused by damage to the brain usually occurring before, during or shortly after birth and is characterized by a lack of muscle control. GABR-generated dollars pay for medical services and purchase equipment such as wheelchairs, communication devices and adaptive tricycles for people with cerebral palsy or related disabilities.

Awards were presented in the following categories:

Top fundraising teams:

1. Mitch’s Mighty Dickinson Riders, led by team captain Mitch Hintz, $20,381.50
2. Zach’s Pedaling Posse #2, led by Roger Aberle, $8,080.00
3. Jake’s Jocks, led by Paul Vetter, $6,206.15

Top individual fundraisers:

1. Dickinson’s Jason Lachenmeier, Mitch’s Mighty Dickinson Riders, $14,109
2. Roger Aberle, Zach’s Pedaling Posse #2, $6,810
3. Paul Lundstrom, Bobcat Bikers Deux, $4,120

Fastest riders on Schwinn bikes:

1. Frank Berdini, Paper Pedalers, 25.1 miles
2. Billie Gibson, Applied Medical, 25.05

Fastest riders on the LeMond bikes:

1. Shaun Schatz, YMCA Early Morning, 25.05 miles
2. Jeremy Overbeck, Horizon Middle School, 25.04 miles

Fastest teams on Schwinn bikes:

1. Melanie’s Maniacs, 225.35 miles
2. Scheels I, 216.11 miles

Fastest teams on LeMond bikes:

1. YMCA Early Morning, 197.13 miles
2. Psycho Ward Cycling, 175.34 miles

GABR was contested on two different styles of bikes: the Schwinn model and the LeMond model. Each has a different size flywheel making perfect comparison difficult; therefore, prizes are given in separate categories.

The Lindsay Trauger Memorial Spirit Award was presented to Jason Lachenmeier. In his years of involvement with the race, this Dickinson native has raised more than $58,000 for GABR.

For the second year in a row, the most creative team award went to the “A Team” consisting of therapists from the Medcenter One pediatric therapy department. Team members were dressed as “Wizard of Oz” characters.

Since it began, GABR has raised more than $1.2 million. It has grown to be the largest fundraiser of its kind in the United States.

Medcenter One is a non-profit, integrated health system that consists of a 232-bed hospital, a multi-specialty clinic, a college of nursing, six primary care clinics, three kidney dialysis centers and four long-term care facilities in western and central North Dakota. Key accreditations and quality awards include: Joint Commission, American College of Surgeons Level II Emergency and Trauma Center, Magnet Recognition Program® and 100 Top Hospitals® for cardiovascular care by Thomson Reuters in 2009.