Both beginning and experienced cyclers can hop on their bike for a fun ride and a good cause at the Bicycle Ride for Alex Speir and Lucy.

At 8 a.m. Saturday, May 13, at the Clermont Chattahoochee Center, Team Give Back will host a benefit bike ride for Speir to raise money for her diabetic alert dog, Lucy.

Mitzi Deaton, president and founder of Team Give Back, started the nonprofit in April 2016 to help people in the community.

“I made a nonprofit and everybody pays a due every year,”  she said. “What we do is service work and raise money.”

Deaton explained the group joins different rides throughout the Southeast to promote Team Give Back.

“The goal was, since we all ride together, why don’t we start a nonprofit and raise money for people in our communities?” she said. “We try to do a service work and then a fundraiser every year.”

This year, Team Give Back decided to host a benefit bike ride to help Speir’s family pay for a diabetic alert dog costing $20,000, Deaton said. Speir, who has had type 1 diabetes since 2011, needs the canine to help detect when her insulin levels get too low.

“Last year … she had gotten to the point where she could not detect her own levels,” Deaton said.

“So she would go to sleep at night and (her) parents would have to go in and check her sugar throughout the night because her body was not being alert.”

With the help of the dog, the 16-year-old girl will be alerted if for some reason her sugar levels drop unnoticed.

While the event is raising money for a serious need, the benefit is a “family event” with food and vendors, Deaton said.

“We’re trying to make it a family event so people will come out,” she said. “And if they have loved ones (who) are riding the 15-mile route, then they can come out and listen to music. And there’ll be food there they can eat.”

Deaton said the goal is to have 50 participants with the ultimate hope of making it an annual fundraiser for people in need.

“Maybe do a spring ride and then a fall ride or run or something like that to raise money for individuals in our community,” she said.

Deaton noted all the proceeds from this year’s event will benefit (Speir’s) family and go toward the diabetic alert dog.

To register for the benefit bicycle ride, email teamgivebackga@gmail.com or visit www.active.com and type in “Team Give Back.”

Registration will also be available on the day of the event from 7-8 a.m.