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Two Soldier Rides roll across the East End this weekend

KATHARINE SCHROEDER FILE PHOTO | Riders hit the streets during the 2001 Soldier Ride.

There will be two Soldier Ride events this weekend honoring Shelter Island’s Army First Lieutenant Joseph Theinert, who died in Afghanistan in 2010.

The first, the North Fork Soldier Ride, begins in Mitchell Park in Greenport Saturday morning. Registration begins at 7 a.m. followed by a ceremony at 8 with three different rides begin at 8:30 a.m.

There will be a 15-mile one-way ride from Greenport to Mattituck, a 30-mile round trip ride to Mattituck and a 60-mile loop from Greenport to Mattituck to Orient and back to Greenport. A community picnic will be held after the ride at the Moore’s Lane fairgrounds.

The fee, which supports the Wounded Warrior Project, is $50 for civilians, $25 for veterans and those under the age of 18 and free for active duty military personnel.

The Shelter Island Spur Ride begins at the American Legion Mitchell Post 281, 1 Bateman Road on Shelter Island. There are two loops, 12.5 miles and 25 miles. Registration is $50 but $25 for riders under 16.

There will be a post-ride cookout at the American Legion post.

Registration begins at 7 a.m., with a kickoff celebration at 8 and the ride’s start at 8:30.

Proceeds from the Spur Ride benefit the Joseph J. Theinert Memorial Fund’s support of veterans and their families.

Riders in the North Fork event can register at http://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/programs/soldier-ride/community-rides/north-fork.aspx.

To register for the Spur Ride, go to: http://shelterislandspurride-zvents.eventbrite.com/