By Scott Hersey - The Moosehead Manglers is a friend’s team of bicyclists hat participate in the Trek Across Maine. The Trek Across Maine is a fundraising event for the American Lung Association of Maine. It is a three-day event that covers 180 miles starting in Bethel and ending in Belfast. It is the largest cycling event in Maine and this year there will be 11 persons from the Moosehead area participating. They include Woodie Bartley, Sandee Dethlefsen, Henry Gilbert, Scott Hersey, Andrew Hunt, Sally Johnson, Lani Love, Cindy Noyes, Cathy Sweetser, Mark Tweedie, and Jenny Ward. This is the 10th year for founding team members and Trek veterans Henry Gilbert, and Scott Hersey. Also the women’s winning Tour de Moose participant, Sandee Dethlefsen will be completing her fifth year as a Trek cyclist.
Of course the main reason for participating in the event is to raise money for the American Lung Association of Maine (ALAM). ALAM is the oldest voluntary health agency in Maine. 90% of the funds raised stay in the State of Maine to be used by Maine people. Several of the Moosehead Mangler team members have asthma or have friends and family that have asthma or another lung disease. ALAM works hard with programs for the asthma epidemic as well as fighting big tobacco and bad air. This year the team has set a goal of raising $10,000. The team is able to meet that goal because of the generous contributions and donations from family, friends, and businesses. This year Ricky Craven Motorsports was especially generous and has become a large team sponsor. The tie in with Ricky Cravens home in the Moosehead area and his business at the end of the Trek in Belfast was a natural fit. Indian Hill Trading Post also was especially generous this year with a monetary contribution and providing a passenger van for transportation to and from the Trek. Chip Foster also donated a trailer to carry the bicycles.
In all the team feels good about working towards a common cause that is good for our state and communities. And along the way we have a lot of fun!
The Moosehead Manglers ride locally during the week usually on Thursdays at 5PM and Sundays at 2PM. If someone wanted together for a ride to call Scott at 695-2766 or Henry at 695-3026.