PHOTO COURTESY OF KIERSTEN SATTLER

From left to right, Paige Folsom, Alex Murrey, Milton resident Kiersten Sattler, Lonny Murrey, Mady Murrey, vice president and administrator of Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital and Health Center, and Ryan Egge. All participated in this year’s Courage Classic Bicycle Tour through the Cascade Mountains.

Local residents bike to prevent abuse

By Meghan Erkkinen

Edgewood resident Lindy Nelson and Milton resident Kiersten Sattler cycled for the children.

Nelson and Sattler both participated in this year’s Courage Classic Bicycle Tour through the Cascade Mountains. The event benefits the Rotary Endowment for the Intervention and Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect. The event took place Aug. 2-4.

“The time and effort and so forth is well spent and what we raise the funds for is extremely worthwhile and needed,” said Nelson, who has participated in the event for seven years, and said he has been cycling all his life. His motivation is “what we’re raising the funds for, and just the camaraderie and the good times on the tour.”

Nelson was one of several members of his church, Mountain View Lutheran in Edgewood, who participated in the event. By himself, he raised more than $1,200 this year.

Sattler is a University of Washington student who spends her summers working as a clinic receptionist at Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital. The cause is something she is all too familiar with, as she often sees abused and neglected children walk through the door where she works. A friend got her involved in the event this year.

Unlike Nelson, Sattler was not an avid cyclist when she decided to participate. She began training in June.

“I’m only 20 so I’m just trying to figure out what I like to do,” she said. “Because I had such a great time I’d like to do this from year to year.”

Sattler raised about $500.

In addition to the cause, both Nelson and Sattler agreed that the ride itself is a lot of fun. The three-day tour goes through mountain passes, including Snoqualmie, Blewett and Stevens. Riders travel a total of 162 miles and reach a peak elevation of 4,100 feet. Along the way, the Rotary Clubs of Pierce County provide food and encouragement every 15-20 miles.

“I think it’s a great cause and a great ride,” Sattler said. “It’s one of the best things I’ve ever done.”

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