When I get on my bicycle, I always head west. Bicycling is better that way. The countryside gets scenic as soon as you cross Nashua city lines, and the further west you ride, the fewer cars you encounter (excepting Route 101A, of course).

Bicyclists can roll and revel in the bucolic Hollis back roads and raise money for a good cause this May 10, as friends and family of the late Jonathan Gilmour have organized a bicycle ride to raise money for his memorial scholarship fund.

We (The Telegraph) also ran an article on Jon after he died in 2006, check it out here if you'd like.

Here's the dope on the First Annual Jonathan Gilmour Memorial Scholarship Fund Ride. There will be three different routes of 10, 25 and 50 miles; take your pick.

You can download the brochure here:

http://blogs.nashuatelegraph.com/off_track/resource/general/Gilmour_Ride_Brochure.pdf

and the pledge sheet here: 

http://blogs.nashuatelegraph.com/off_track/resource/general/pledge.pdf

WHEN:

Saturday May 10, 2008
8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Registration fee: $15 in advance, $20 at event; $100 suggested fundraising minimum

WHAT:

The first annual Jonathan Gilmour Memorial Fund Ride is a bike-a-thon fundraiser that will be held in Hollis, NH.  Beginning and ending at Hollis’ historic Lawrence Barn, the ride features three routes – of ten, twenty-five and fifty miles - that wind through the beautiful back roads of southern New Hampshire and are specially-designed for cyclists ranging from beginner to expert.  The event will culminate with a festive picnic for all riders and volunteers, as well as their families and friends.  Proceeds will benefit Zoo New England’s Jonathan Gilmour Memorial Scholarship Fund, which awards annual grants to support the ongoing education and professional development of individual staff members at Boston’s Franklin Park Zoo and Stone Zoo in Stoneham, Massachusetts.

WHY:

In April 2006, Zoo New England lost a cherished family member when former zookeeper Jonathan Gilmour passed away at age 29. The Jonathan Gilmour Memorial Scholarship Fund was established with the generous support of Jonathan’s family and friends as a way to perpetuate his passion for wildlife by providing the opportunity for other members of the Zoo community to pursue conservation projects, education opportunities, research initiatives and other wildlife-focused efforts. 
In April 2007 the first scholarship was awarded to Franklin Park Zoo keeper Erica Farrell to support her participation in a conservation project in Nigeria focused on reintroducing captive-born drills – a highly-endangered monkey species – to the wild.  For more information on Jonathan, the Fund and Erica’s project, please visit www.jonathangilmourfund.org