Nice Ride challenge is back to raise money for local charities

Hopping on a Nice Ride bike Saturday will again help local charities.

Nice Ride, the bike-sharing network, and the Minneapolis Foundation have organized #TourDeNice, which starts at 9 a.m. Saturday at Gold Medal Park in Minneapolis.

The foundation will donate a $1 (up to $5,000) for every Nice Ride trip logged Saturday. The money will be divided among the top riders among a dozen cyclists representing local charities in the #TourDeNice. Their "tour" challenge is to visit Nice Ride stations. Last year $5,613 was raised — based on the 5,613 Nice Ride bike-share trips logged June 27.

"The cyclists participating in the nonprofit challenge are riding in support of a variety of great local causes. People all over the Twin Cities can support them simply by hopping on a Nice Ride bike — so start pedaling," said Nice Ride spokesman Ian Reed in a news release.