Cyclists are gearing up for the third annual Good News for Gainesville benefit bike ride set for Oct. 1.

The ride is a fundraiser event organized by local churches of various denominations with one goal in mind: Raise as much money as possible to help support three local nonprofit organizations.

Pastor Chuck DeBardeleben of the Westminster Church PCA said that the event is very unifying for the various churches in the area.

“All of us want to see the community prosper. This is a small way to get people involved in the community that they are a part of,” DeBardeleben said.

Proceeds from the ride will be split evenly between Good News at Noon, Good News Medical Clinic and Action Ministries of Gainesville. DeBardeleben said that the event has raised $8,500 over the past two years, and he hopes this year will be even better. 

This will be the first year that Action Ministries will be a beneficiary of Good News for Gainesville. Program director Steve Napier said that the organization is excited by the generosity of the community. 

“We’re thrilled they chose us to be a recipient,” Napier said. “We work with over 20 churches now, and this is a great way to branch out and find others we can minister to.”

Participants in the ride can choose to take part in a 250, 400 or 60-mile ride. Everyone who registers for the ride will receive a T-shirt, water bottle and barbecue lunch. 

DeBardeleben said that Good News is a participation ride more than a race. 

“It’s great fun. You’ll get to see people you didn’t expect to see. It’s a great way to meet people and get to know others in the community,” he said.

“I’m hoping other communities will see this and say ‘Hey, this is a great idea. We could do this.’ In fact, I got the idea from someone else.”

The ride will begin at 9 a.m. Saturday. Riders will meet up at Riverbend Baptist Church, 1715 Cleveland Highway in Gainesville. Registration is $30 for early birds, and $40 the day of the ride.