Local teacher bikes for a cause

If you have ever seen Malta Public School's Music Teacher Erik Engebretson cruising around town, chances are he isn't just getting from point A to point B in Malta.

As it turns out Engebretson has been participating in long distance bicycle fundraisers since 2014. This summer he was able to participate in three of four rides, a couple of which are fundraisers.

"I try to ride about 5,000 miles a year to keep in shape," Engebretson said. "It's also good for the brain."

Engebretson's first long ride is called the Cascade 66, which occurred on Saturday, June 15. According to the event's website, the trip which starts in Cascade and ends at Wolf Creek Frontage Road, offers stunning views of the Little Belt Mountains and Missouri River.

The ride is either 33 miles, 66 miles, or 100 depending on the rider's choice.

The second ride that Engebretson participates in is Ride Around the Pioneers in One Day or RATPOD. RATPOD is a ride that benefits Camp Mak-a-Dream, a company in Western Montana, who provides an outdoor camp experience free of charge for kids that either have cancer or have overcome cancer.

"It is a long ride," Engebretson said. "It's 130 miles in one day through mountain passes. It was brutal but I survived it and everybody was smiling at the end of it because it's a great benefit."

RATPOD took place on Saturday, June 22.

The third event is Engebreston's favorite, but he was unable to attend this year. The seven day event called RAGBRAI is a non-competitive ride across the state of Iowa.

According to Entebretson, over 20,000 riders participate in the event.

"It's just all bikes," he said. "It's bike heaven."

RAGBRAI was the first event that Engebretson participated in, making RAGBRAI XLII in the July of 2014.

"I had always wanted to do RAGBRAI and then I did in 2014," he said. "And then I decided that I should do some charity rides. The charity rides are really fun. Everybody is smiling and everyone is happy to be supporting a charity."

The last long distance fundraiser for Engebretson was called Bike MS in Sheridan Wyo. Out of 219 participants Engebretson is listed as the fifteenth highest in terms of raising funds in 2019.

Engebretson mentioned that during the fundraisers, riders get to meet some people affected by the event's cause. This year he had the chance to ride with a woman affected by Mulitple Sclerosis.

"She rode 100 miles with us and she was amazing," Engebretson said. "There were several other people riding with MS as well."

Between the three fundraising rides, people have donated over $2,000 through Engebretson's efforts. Donations can still be made by check to Bike MS, or by the fundraisers website. All donations to Bike MS are due before October. Contact Erik Engebretson to donate or learn more.