Active Portage County will host the first PedaLoops, aka “Sore Butt Ride,” Central Wisconsin’s Spring Cycling Tour, on Saturday, May 14, at the Standing Rocks County Park.

Registration for the event is $35 and check in is from 7 to 8 a.m. at the Park Lodge, 7695 Standing Rocks Road, Stevens Point.

Money raised through the registration goes toward helping about 20 different local organizations promote a healthy lifestyle, whether it is running, biking or hiking events.

In the past, Active Portage County has helped fund running clubs and family walks for different schools. It also helps with signs and setup for the Bock Run, Turkey Trot, running club and many other events.

Helmets are required for all participants. Cameras are encouraged as is rain gear if needed.

Despite the also known as Sore Butt Ride designation, there are several different routes participants can take based on their endurance, desire and the amount of scenic viewing they wish to do.

The easiest route is the blue “shady roller” and is 19 miles of flat and gently rolling hills. The red “small town” is 20, 25 or 40 miles through several smaller towns in central Wisconsin; this route will include more hills. The most difficult route will be the green “Waupaca and Backa.” This will be 17, 24 or 35 miles and will head past Hartman Creek State Park and through the Chain of Lakes near Waupaca.

These routes were chosen due to lack of traffic and demonstrating the beauty in Portage County, featuring farms, lakes, streams and fields. The routes chosen are windy, well-paved to appeal to all ages.

Sara Brish, executive director of Active Portage County, said her favorite part was rediscovering these routes and seeing the leaves in full color last fall, when the courses were chosen.

“We look forward to leading an array of people that may not have cycled through Portage County in the past. We are excited to expose them to the quiet, gently rolling picturesque area of Portage County,” Brish said.

John Jury, president of Active Portage County, said he participates in many other rides and active events, one of which is Century Ride where participants bike through Door County 20 miles at a time between rest stops. He said he liked this event being in early spring because no one is ready for a ride that long this early in the season.

“They are all physical activities that would cause a participant to train in order to enjoy the activity. This is what we are promoting. Find the activities you enjoy most and do them more often,” Jury said.

There will be vehicles along the way to pick up riders who are tired or to fix bikes if needed. Bikers can come back to the Standing Rocks County Park rest stop between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. to refuel and take breaks before returning to other loops.

Active Portage County is a nonprofit organization that aims to create a healthier society. While already other events such as Walk Wisconsin and the Ice Age Trail Hike-A-Thon, the group wanted to expand the variety.

“We want to become the healthiest and most active county in the state,” Jury said.