Ernie's Ride 2023
Ernie’s Ride is a self-supported (no assistance vehicle) ride, typically, on the first weekend in August (Friday – Sunday) to be close to Ernie's birthday on August 3. This year’s ride is happening in two groups. The first group, consisting of Garret vonBerge, Scott Wright, Chad Settlage, & Doug Shope, completed the 320+ mile journey safely at Lake Erie on Sunday, August 6. The second group, consisting of James Kenniv & Dave Kenniv and led by Scott Wright are riding August 25-27. This challenging ride is an event created to raise funds, prayers, and awareness for three pro-life women’s centers here in Warren, Butler, & Auglaize Counties. The Community Pregnancy Center is located in Middletown, Ohio. Family Life Center of Auglaize County is in Wapakoneta, Ohio. Elizabeth's New Life Center is located in my hometown of Lebanon, Ohio. In the first six years, Ernie's Ride has raised over $140,000 in pledges - and 100% of it goes to the centers!
The premise of the ride is very straight-forward: Riders complete as much of the 320-mile distance between the Ohio River, in Cincinnati, and Lake Erie, in Cleveland, as possible during the 3-day event. You can see information on past rides on the tab above. And, you can read more about the history, the Centers, the Ernie’s Ride Cycling Kit, and more by using the navigation tabs at the top of this page. This year, 2023, is the eighth Ernie's Ride and it features a field of six riders: Doug Shope, Chad Settlage, Scott Wright, James Kenniv, Dave Kenniv, and Garrett Von Berge.
You can be a part of Ernie's Ride 2023 by sponsoring a rider a set amount per mile. When Ernie’s Ride 2023 is over, you make your donation directly to the Center you have chosen based on the total number of miles (320-mile max) your sponsored rider has covered. It will be here before we know it!
If you'd like to sponsor, you just visit the “Sponsor” section, and pick the rider you want to sponsor and the Center to which you wish to donate. Then tell us your name, email address, City, and State, and the amount per mile you are sponsoring. The website will even calculate your maximum commitment for you! After the ride, we email you with the final total of your sponsorship and a link, address, and instructions to fulfill your pledge. We don’t handle the money. Your donation goes directly to the Center!
You might say: “Why don’t I just give a set amount?” Well, you could. And, you can. Anytime. But that’s not what we are doing here. We are making a focused push to challenge us all to give big. The ride is part of your motivation to do so.
In 2022, Josiah Kenniv began experiencing significant mechanical issues only 50 miles into Day 1. But because he was riding for something more than himself, he managed to tough it out all the way up to Canal Fulton, Ohio - just 59 miles from Lake Erie. Your per-mile pledge is THE motivation for riders to keep pedaling and to share the benefits of their joy of riding. As the miles roll by, and fatigue creeps in, we will continue to pedal knowing that each mile means life to women, babies, and families in our area. Plus, you can follow the riders' progress virtually via our LiveTrack!
Soli Deo Gloria!
Godspeed,
Doug
Sponsor
After the Ride is completed, and the miles have been tallied, you will be contacted with the total amount of your pledge and a link for payment. Contact will be made via the email address that you leave below. All gifts are tax-deductible & confidential.
Total Pledged for this Rider: $0.00/mi
Total Pledged for this Center: $0.00/mi
Total Pledged for Ernie's Ride 2023: $0.00/mi
Meet the 2023 Ernie's Riders
Doug Shope
Doug is 63 and lives in Lebanon, Ohio with his wife Judy. They will celebrate 41 years of marriage this December. Their older son, Andrew, lives in Cincinnati with his bride Abigail. Their younger son, Tim & their daughter-in-law, Courtney, are raising Doug & Judy's twin grandsons - Rhett & Casey -- in Tennessee. Doug & Judy attend Alpha Church of the Nazarene, where Doug is the Pastor.
Chad Settlage
Chad is 51 years old. He & his wife, Amy, attend The Community Church where they are integral parts of the Worship Band "Contagious". He & Amy are part owners of a business in Lebanon. They have a son, Tevin, and a daughter, Madyson, son-in-law Luke Williams, grandson, Bowie, and another grand-baby on the way! This is Chad's 6th Ernie's Ride.
Scott Wright
Scott Wright is 55 years old and lives in Loveland, Ohio with his wife, Jenny. Their first daughter, Katie is married to Tyler Aberle and they reside in Columbus. Their younger daughter, Lauren, resides in Loveland. Scott & Jenny attend Faith Bible Church where he serves on the Audio Visual and Technology Teams. Scott is riding in his 5th Ernie's Ride.
James Kenniv
James is 56 years old and has been married to his wife, Kristen, for 31 years. They have 7 children, and 5 grandchildren. James is the worship pastor at Faith Bible Church in Cincinnati. This will be James' 2nd Ernie's Ride.
Garrett vonBerge
Garrett is 30 years old and lives in Crossville, TN. He and his wife, Jessica, will celebrate their 10 year anniversary this October. They have three boys (Zeke-5, Xander-4, Xavier-5 months). Garrett & his family attend Crossville First Church of the Nazarene. This will be Garrett's first Ernie's Ride.
Dave Kenniv
Dave Kenniv is 52 & lives in Mason, Ohio with his wife, Beth, of 28 years. They have 3 children, John (23, married to Evylyn), Ben (21), who just graduated college, and Elisha (18), who just graduated high school! Dave has owned and worked at Olive Tree Custom Building for 20 years. His goal for Ernie's ride is "not be last" and to outride James (his brother) This is Dave's first Ernie's Ride!
Check out the Ernie's Ride custom cycling kit here!
Thanks To Our Cycling Kit Sponsors!
