CROWN POINT | The perfect weather only fueled the enthusiasm of bicyclists participating in Sunday's Hospice Hustle cycling event to benefit Hospice of the Calumet Area.

Riders chose between 25-mile or 62-mile courses, beginning at the Lake County Fairgrounds. Their fees as well as corporate sponsorships help Hospice of the Calumet Area care for people with life-limiting illnesses.

"The main thing is it's our community that supports this. People don't realize what hospice is until they need it," said Craig Harrell, director of community relations for Hospice of the Calumet Area.

Harrell said 82 cents of every dollar raised goes toward patient care.

Cindy Davis, of Schererville, and Marlene Medrano, of Cedar Lake, have had relatives served by Hospice of the Calumet Area and were participating in their first ride.

"Hospice does a lot for people in true need," Davis said. "We like to support it, and we like to ride."

Freda Brown, president of the Schaumburg, Ill., Bicycling Club, took part to support hospice but also to promote cycling.

"Clubs know the importance of cycling," Brown said. "We want to get more people to see cycling as a normal form of transportation."

Brown is evidence Hospice of the Calumet Area's marketing strategy is paying off.

Harrell said mailers were sent to cycling clubs in a 250-mile range promoting this year's event.

This was the third year for the Hospice Hustle, and organizers were hoping for 200 participants to top last year's 110.

In its 26 years since being established, Hospice of the Calumet Area has served approximately 10,000 patients. It has 70 employees and more than 400 volunteers. The money raised will go to support the agency's hospice residence in Munster and to send nurses and other health care providers to patients' homes.