A benefit ride for Get Your Guts in Gear, a national nonprofit organization that raises awareness of Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, will grace Whidbey Island Aug. 7 and 8.

Participants in the three-day, 210-mile cycling tour will leave from Edmonds, travel northwest to Whidbey Island, ride across Deception Pass Bridge, pedal through the farmlands and forests of Skagit Valley, then loop back to finish in Edmonds on Aug. 9.

A newly-formed Whidbey Island Ostomy Support Group will cheer the “Guts” riders as they pedal through the island, said Vern Olsen, a founding member.

The cyclists hope to raise awareness and funds to combat Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.

These conditions affect at least 1,400,000 people each year in the United States, according to event organizers.

Get Your Guts in Gear participants have raised and donated more than $1.25 million for advocacy, research, awareness and empowerment projects since 2004.

For more information, or to register for the ride, please contact GYGIG at 1-718-875-2123, or email info@IBDride.org.