GURNEE – While waiting to check in for a bike riding event that raises money for lung disease research, Ed Martin reminisced about his father.

“My dad passed away from COPD [chronic obstructive pulmonary disease] 15 years ago,” Martin of Winneka said. “I can tell my siblings that live farther away – we’re a tight knit family – and I can say to my mom, ‘Hey, I rode for dad.’ It’s a great feeling.”

On the hot morning of Aug. 4, Martin was one of more than 300 bicycle riders gathered at Gurnee Mills Shopping Mall in high spirits to pedal as far as 190 miles in honor of lung disease awareness and research.