Cyclists participate in last year's Ken Harrod Memorial Bike Race. (File photos by Tyler Papazian)

Last September, well over twice as many riders entered the first Ken Harrod Memorial Bike Ride than organizers expected. Now the event is back for a second year, and members of the Harvard Firefighters Association are aiming to build on that success.

"People told us if we had 50 riders we'd be successful," said organizing committee member and Harvard firefighter Greg Harrod; the event drew over 130 riders, Harrod said.

Ken Harrod, Greg's father, was a longtime member of the Harvard Fire Department. He died in May 2010 at the age of 67, leaving behind a legacy of deep respect among his fellow firefighters, his family, and the townspeople of Harvard. In addition to 45 years on the fire department, where he served as lieutenant, captain, alarm inspector, and truck driver, Ken Harrod was also Town Hall custodian for many years and an active member of the Harvard Lions Club.

"We were looking to do a fundraiser in his name, because [his death] was so sudden," Greg Harrod said of last year's event. "A lot of people have running events, and we were trying to do something different. It took off and it was very successful."

With the riders and the sponsors, and those who donated without riding or donated to the silent auction, "we raised quite a bit of money," Harrod said.

The money raised from the bike rides goes to the firefighters association, which in turn donates it to several local causes, including the Harvard Firefighters' Benevolence Fund, the Harvard Firefighters' Scholarship Fund, the Harvard Firefighters' Equipment Fund, the Student Awareness of Fire Education (SAFE) Program, and the Harvard Firefighters' Family Crisis Fund.

This year, the Harvard Firefighters Association isn't planning on changing its winning formula much, Harrod said.

The ride is on Saturday, Sept. 11, beginning at 9 a.m. Route options are an eight-mile loop, a 2-mile loop for kids, and 16-mile loop that riders may go around once, twice , or three times. Riders of all skill levels are welcome, Harrod said.

"We want families. That's what we're looking for," he said.

The first 200 riders to sign up will get free t-shirts and gift bags.

Last year's ride was on a Saturday, and though it drew participants from well outside of Harvard, it conflicted with the Nashoba Valley Pedalers Fall Century Classic, which had 300 to 400 cyclists, Harrod said. This year, the Ken Harrod Memorial Bike Ride is on a Sunday, without a conflict, so "we're hoping for more," Greg Harrod said.

The Run for the Hills 5k race, sponsored by the Harvard Road Race Association is also on Sept. 11, but the race doesn't start until 2 p.m. at the McCurdy Track, so ambitious local athletes can enter both.

"We'll be all done by then," Harrod said.

For more information and to register for the Ken Harrod Memorial Bike Ride visit the Harvard Firefighter's Association website at www.harvardfire.com/bikeride. The cost is $25 to enter before Sept. 9, with discounts for families that sign up three or more riders. Registration on the day of the ride will cost $30. Those who don't want to or can't ride, can donate in the memory of Ken Harrod to the Harvard Firefighters Association, P.O. Box 613, Harvard, MA 01451, attn.: Bill Barton, Event Treasurer.

"It's a good family day. We'll have some food, a bunch of extra t-shirts and water…" Greg Harrod said. "It's just a good fun day."