TRUCKEE, Calif. andamp;#8212; Six cyclists are preparing for the biggest ride of their lives.For the second year in a row, Hardy Bullock, Carey Thrasher and Ken Bossung andamp;#8212; all members of the TahoeStaff Cycling Team andamp;#8212; will attempt to ride non-stop together for 300 miles to raise funding for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Nevada County and North Lake Tahoe’s mentoring programs for at-risk youths.Joining them this year will be new riders Chris Barry, Scott Hanson and Mark Hockridge, who will ride with the veterans on a new route that starts and finishes in Truckee, with breaks in Sacramento, Grass Valley and Nevada City along the way.The ride will begin on Saturday, Sept. 17 at 6 a.m. from the parking lot of Smokey’s Kitchen in Truckee (12036 Donner Pass Road), and the riders expect to finish up back at Smokey’s between noon and 3 p.m. on Sunday, when the public is invited to come welcome the riders home and celebrate their epic journey.

According to ride organizer Hardy Bullock, the team is excited about this year’s ride because, andamp;#8220;We get to visit communities that are important to us. We live, work and play in the Sierra, so I’m excited to be riding the route we’ve chosen.andamp;#8221;This year’s ride follows on the heels of last year’s 300 Miles for Mentoring ride, which saw the original three cyclists cover 300 miles from Fort Bragg, Calif., to Truckee.andamp;#8220;This year’s route should be very challenging. Last year we crossed the Sacramento Valley; this year we pretty much ride rolling hills and long continuous climbs all day and night,andamp;#8221; Bullock said. andamp;#8220;The toughest part of the ride will be the 15,000 foot climb at night from Nevada City to Truckee.andamp;#8221;This year’s ride is being sponsored by Tahoe Staff, Hanson McClain Independent Investment Advice and local radio station KTKE 101.5 FM, which will broadcast live progress updates during the ride.In addition, the six team members will be collecting pledges in person and online, with a goal of raising at least $15,000 for Big Brothers Big Sisters. Last year the athletes raised more than $10,000 for the local nonprofit that serves children in all of Nevada County including Truckee, as well as the North Tahoe communities of Kings Beach and Tahoe City.Asked what motivates him to keep pushing his limits year after year, Bullock said it’s all about the kids.andamp;#8220;I feel a deep connection to kids who need guidance and support. I feel that as a community we can affect their lives in a positive way now and create a better society in the long run,andamp;#8221; he said. andamp;#8220;It is also important that my children understand the value of helping others. They inspire me in a profound way; I want to be their hero.andamp;#8221;Barry couldn’t agree more.andamp;#8220;I couldn’t think of a better way to spend a couple of days with great friends, raising awareness of health and fitness throughout our communities, while benefiting such an awesome organization and cause,andamp;#8221; Barry said.To sponsor the riders and help bring Big Brothers Big Sisters’ mentoring programs to more local youth, please visit http://www.firstgiving.org/fundraiser/300miles. For more information about Big Brothers Big Sisters, visit http://www.bigsofnc.org or call 530-273-2227.andamp;#8212; Sun Managing Editor Kevin MacMillan contributed to this report.