Western Baptist neurologist Joseph Ashburn, M.D., moved back to Paducah last year with a passion for improving stroke care in his hometown and is using his hobby – cycling – to do just that. 

Western Baptist Hospital will host its first Spokes for Stroke bike tour on Saturday, June 2, to raise stroke awareness, along with funds for life-saving technologies and expanded stroke care services. 

“I started cycling in medical school and discovered cycling has a big following in our region,” said Dr. Ashburn, director of the nationally-certified stroke center at Western Baptist. “We invite the community to join this inaugural bike tour and fight stroke at the same time.”

Spokes for Stroke will begin at 7 a.m. with registration at Noble Park’s Shelter 19, followed by the tour at 8 a.m. Advance registration at active.com is $25 for an individual, $40 for a couple and $50 for a family for four. 

The bike tour offers 10-, 35- or 60-mile rides through southern McCracken, Marshall and Graves counties. The longest ride includes challenging hills and three rest stops. The 35-mile ride is less hilly with three rest stops. The short ride stays in McCracken County and includes one rest stop. All rides will be followed by support vehicles. Helmets are required.

A 1-mile walk/ride on the Greenway trail, beginning at Noble Park, also will be available for stroke survivors, families, friends and caretakers for a donation.

For more information, phone (270) 575-2895.