Hundreds of cyclists gather in the Bowdoinham Food Pantry parking lot before the start of Le Tour de Bowdoinham charity bike ride. (Paul Bagnall/Staff Writer)

In the rolling hills of rural Maine, an annual bicycle charity ride raising money for Bowdoinham’s downtown food pantry saw its biggest turnout yet.

Around 120 cyclists participated in the Aug. 16 Le Tour de Bowdoinham, donating approximately 411 pounds of nonperishable food to the Bowdoinham Food Pantry, along with just under $5,000 raised during the ride, according to Ken Saindon, lead organizer of Le Tour de Bowdoinham. The charity ride’s route was 34 miles in total, with cut-off points for 10- and 24-mile loops.

“It’s a good, positive ride. We’ve raised food and funds for the Bowdoinham Food Pantry, and we all want to help,” Saindon said. “As I say before every ride, thank you for bringing your community and sharing it with my community.”

Cyclists ride through Bowdoinham in a charity event for the town’s food pantry. (Paul Bagnall/Staff Writer)

Last year, around 300 pounds of food went to the Bowdoinham Food Pantry, said John Treat, executive director of the food bank.

Residents from Bowdoinham rode in the bicycle charity ride, but Le Tour de Bowdoinham also drew in participants from Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New Jersey and New Hampshire. There were multiple members of cycling clubs participating in the Le Tour de Bowdoinham, including the Merrymeeting Wheelers, Casco Bay Bicycle Club and Maine Cycling Club.

“It was a good cause supporting a food pantry, and this was my third time doing it,” said Steven Capriola, member of the Casco Bay Bicycle Club.

Casco Bay Bicycle Club had about 14 members riding in the race, which helps bring awareness not only to cycling but also to the mission of the Bowdoinham Food Pantry, Capriola said. He donated cans of tuna fish and chicken noodle soup as his entry fee for the charity ride.

“Every penny that comes in goes directly to the Bowdoinham Food Pantry,” Saindon said.

Le Tour de Bowdoinham debuted in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, with around 43 people attending the event. The ride went dormant until it was brought back in 2023 due to popular demand.

The difficulty of the bike route was about a 7 out of 10 for Daphne Millay, another member of the Casco Bay Bicycle Club, providing an above-average challenge due to the hilly terrain.

“I think it’s great to have the groups combine and work for a worthy cause like the food pantry,” Millay said.