EDGEWATER, N.J. – How many bicycles does it take to fill a Mayflower trailer? Anchor Moving & Storage, an agent for Mayflower Transit, has the answer: more than 200! For the past 15 years, Anchor has loaded and transported more than $350,000 worth of bicycles to the starting line of the annual Anchor House Ride for Runaways.

The week-long fundraising ride benefits Anchor House, a shelter for abused youth who leave home. This year’s ride began on July 13 in Rutland, Vt., and ended on July 19 in Trenton, N.J.

“Proper, safe and reliable transportation of the bikes is essential to the success of the ride,” said Pat McClain, president of Anchor Moving & Storage. “It’s a great service we are able to provide to the shelter, and the fact that it happens to have the same name as our company gives us great recognition.”

Anchor Moving & Storage transported the bikes from Trenton to Rutland to await the arrival of the riders. Each year, the Anchor moving truck is loaded the Thursday evening prior to the ride, departs the following day, arrives to unload for the riders on Saturday, and the ride begins on Sunday.

McClain’s brother Bernie McClain, vice president of Anchor Moving & Storage, has been a rider for the past 18 years, and he said this year, 90 was the magic number for the ride.

“The 500-mile ride is a real challenge considering the terrain and the temperature we had to deal with,” Bernie McClain said. “With a 90-mile-a-day ride in 90 degree temperature with 90 percent humidity, the strain on the riders does take its toll.”

The riders persevered, and the event raised more than $400,000 this year.

About Mayflower Transit

Mayflower Transit, founded in 1927, is one of the nation’s oldest and largest van lines and transports household goods, electronic equipment, trade show exhibits and displays, works of art, and specialized freight, utilizing a network of 700 affiliated agents throughout the United States and around the world. Mayflower’s headquarters offices are located in suburban St. Louis, Mo. Further information about the relocation company is available at www.mayflower.com.