It was a 560-mile bicycle ride that left an indelible imprint on their lives.

Dennis Kelly and Debbie Gemmel of Catasauqua, Tom Nicklas of Whitehall, Don Wallace, of Schnecksville, and Robert Docherty of Allentown participated in the Pennsylvania Perimeter Ride Against Cancer (PPRAC) June 29-July 3. The fundraiser ride, which took them from Portland, Maine to Palmerton, was founded in 1983 by retired Allentown school teacher Bob Freed in an effort to raise money for cancer research.

Kelly, who currently serves as the assistant baseball coach at Catasauqua High School, said a total of 68 riders and 13 support personnel participated in PPRAC, raising over $200,000 for cancer research. Kelly said the Catasauqua team raised upward of $15,000 with monies coming from Catasauqua Area School District teachers, family and friends of deceased longtime CHS teacher Dale Edwards and family and friends of the riders. The Catasauqua team rode in honor of Edwards.

This year's PPRAC ride was the first for Gemmel.

"I thought it was awesome," Gemmel said. "You can't imagine it until you're on it. "

Nicklas said he was taken aback by the concern and compassion of individuals the bikers met during the ride. Nicklas was particularly moved by a husband and wife, members of a local American Legion, who allowed all 68 PPRAC riders to spend the evening in their backyard.

"They welcomed 68 strangers into their home," Nicklas said.

"You don't see the negatives in life," Nicklas added of the ride. "You see the support and positive energy. It's the little acts of kindness that make the ride."

Wallace, a veteran bicyclist who has also participated in cross country events, said the experience of PPRAC is personal.

"To know PPRAC you have to ride it," Wallace said.

Wallace recalls two women during the ride who stopped him and asked why he was riding. After sharing with them he was riding to fight cancer, they both donated $20.

"You didn't have to ask them, they volunteered," Wallace said of the women's generosity.

Kelly said the highlight of the ride took place the final day at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Palmerton, where Catasauqua resident Ben Ferenchak, who participated in the last PPRAC ride, read a poem. Ferenchak said he wrote the poem in honor of the founders of PPRAC on the ride's 30th anniversary.

"It brings tears to your eyes when you hear the poem," Kelly said. "It was a perfect ending to the ride. In a good way, the poem was about fighting cancer. It brings hope."

The efforts of the Skinner family and support of the Angel Crew were instrumental in assisting the riders throughout the race, Kelly added.

Kelly said those still interested in donating to this year's PPRAC ride may do so until the end of August at the organization's website http://www. pprac.net.

The next PPRAC ride is scheduled for 2015 and Kelly, Gemmel, Nicklas, Wallace and Farenchak intend to participate.

"I'm going to start training tomorrow," Gemmel said of the 2015 ride.