The Greene County Historical Society will host another monthly event and meeting later this week in Rippey.

Member Chuck Offenburger says the public is invited to learn about the historical background and creation of the annual Bike Ride to Rippey from Perry.  Offenburger notes that the event is scheduled in February and it signifies another start to the bicycle season and warmer weather.

It started in 1977 with the Perry Parks and Recreation Department as its first sponsor and was created by Perry locals of Dennis Hurley and Jim Walstrom.  A Rippey bar owner, Larry Vodenik thought that Rippey would be the perfect turnaround spot for the bicycle ride.

Through the years, Offenburger states that the event has been held in 20-degrees below zero and in a blizzard but it has also grown to include thousands of people.

Since it’s beginnings, the Perry Area Chamber of Commerce has taken over the sponsorship and continued the tradition of the BRR.  Executive Director Bob Wilson will be the featured speaker at the Rippey United Methodist Church.

It will be 1pm and the program is free and open to the public.