By Rose Schneider

Point Area Bicycle Services (PABS) is holding its largest annual scavenger hunt, community ride, Bicycle Adventure Extravaganza IV from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 27, in Stevens Point.

“We do other events and party and themed rides, but this is our finale every summer,” said PABS owner, John Pawlak.

Pawlak was inspired four years ago by another local event called PaddleQuest. He adopted a similar concept and applied it to bike shenanigans, as he puts it, in Stevens Point. His goal was to bring families and people of all ages together to grow the cycling culture and strengthen the Stevens Point cycling community.

The event started with 150 riders and the biggest year brought in almost 450 bikers.

Registration will start at 12:30 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 27, at the PABS store, 1311 Strongs Ave., for anyone who hasn’t pre-registered. Rules will be reviewed and scorecards and maps will be issued highlighting event boundaries with bike paths and checkpoints marked. Water, bathrooms and bananas will be available at all checkpoints. The secret post-ride potluck location will also be disclosed at this time.

To read the rest of the story, pick up a copy of the Portage County Gazette at one of the many newsstands in the area, including gas stations and grocery stores. Or subscribe at shopmmclocal.com/product/portage-county-gazette/ to have weekly copies delivered by mail.

For more information or to subscribe over the phone, call 715-343-8045.