Vanceburg’s Dennis Prater is continuing an annual cycling tour that will honor his cousin, Keith Prater, who died in 2017.
The fifth annual tour will be Saturday, October 7, beginning in Vanceburg with cyclists traveling a predetermined route that will bring them back to the starting location on Market Street.
Prater says he’s excited to participate in the local bicycle event.
“I’ve always had a passion to become a cyclist,” he said, adding he is involved with the Limestone Cycling League.
Prater said the cycling is one of the steps he has taken in an effort to take better care of himself and stay healthy.
“I’ve been working at eating healthier and getting exercise,” he said. He is the son of Jack and the late Sue Prater and is employed by the Lewis County Board of Education.
He’s a member of Vanceburg First Baptist Church and volunteers with the local chapter of the Salvation Army.
“I would like to ask motorists to watch for cyclists along the route that day and to share the road every day,” he said.
Prater said he expects to be crossing the finish line between 3:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. Saturday at Vanceburg First Baptist Church.
“I want to thank everyone for the support and encouragement they’ve given me,” he said. Dennis Prater said cyclists will be guided by route markings, use phone apps for map guidance, and have rest stops along the way.
A light lunch will be provided to the cyclists at the completion of the tour.
“Everyone is welcome to join the ride,” Dennis Prater said. “There is no cost to register.”
He added there will be several members of the Limestone Bicycling League participating.
Breakfast for participants will begin at Vanceburg First Baptist Church at 8:30 a.m. and the cycling event will get underway about 9:30 a.m.
In addition to watching for the cyclists participating in the event, he is asking for those who have dogs along the route to keep them restrained during the times the cyclists will be traveling through.
“Dogs can be a real issue,” he said.
He added deputies with the Lewis County Sheriff’s Department and officers with the Vanceburg Police Department will be assisting in ensuring the safety of cyclists.
Keith Prater was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia on June 6, 2017, and passed away July 19, 2017.
During his four years with Rowan County schools he was a special education teacher at the high school as well as the head coach of the baseball and bowling teams.
Keith Prater was also a special education teacher and the head coach of Lewis County Lions prior to moving to Rowan County.
As the head coach of the Lions, he turned a losing 5-22 season into a 25- 6 season in just one year.
For more information on the ride call Dennis Prater at 606-202-3104.
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