If you're looking for a great reason to take rides on your bicycle, then set your sights on taking enough short rides to take the long easy ride of the Rose Hill Rally and help raise money for the Rose Hill Hospitality House.

The annual ride, now in its 22nd year, raises money for St. Mary's Rose Hill Hospitality House which provides hotel-like accommodations for outpatients and families of patients from outside the Grand Junction area at no charge.

The ride is designed for bicyclists ranging from casual recreational riders to bicycling enthusiasts. A 5k or 10k walk/run is an option for those who want to participate, but don't have the desire to ride a bicycle.

The 50k ride (31 miles) is the most popular with recreational riders and families. The course starts at Canyon View Park and lets riders pedal easily through the farm country to Fruita and back to the park.

Enthusiasts love the 100k (62 miles) scenic ride to Fruita and then the additional challenge of riding out to Highline Lake before returning to Fruita and then back to Canyon View Park.

The ride and walk are fully supported including a light breakfast, lunch, rest stops, bike mechanics and a medical team available. Plus, if you can't, for any reason, complete the ride, there are support vehicles to pick you and your bicycle up anywhere on the course and give you a ride back to the park.

The Rose Hill Rally is Sunday, May 6. Check-in begins at 6:30 a.m. with riders starting between 7 a.m. and 9 a.m. Walkers are encouraged to start between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. so everyone can finish with plenty of time for lunch, which is available for both bikers and walkers as part of the registration fee.

Preregistration is recommended and can be done online at the Rose Hill Rally website. Cost is $45 for adults, $25 for children ages 5-12. Children under 5 are free. There is also a family package that includes 2 adults and up to 3 children for $150.

Entrants can preregister anytime prior to April 27. For those who want to ride as a team, you must have a minimum of 6 riders and register by April 23rd. Day of registration is also available from 6:45 a.m. until 9 a.m.

Registration fees benefit the Rose Hill Hospitality House at St. Mary's Hospital.  Complete information about the Rose Hill Hospitality House and the Rose Hill Rally bicycle ride and walking-running event as well as registration forms are available at the St. Mary's Hospital Rose Hill Rally website.

More From Kool 107.9