The Turkey Roll Bicycle Rally sponsored by the Denton Breakfast Kiwanis Club is a traditional celebration, but sponsors have made a few changes this year.

The ride has always been held on the Saturday before Thanksgiving, rain or shine, and the 27th annual event is no exception, with a scheduled start time of 9 a.m. Saturday at the North Texas State Fairgrounds.

But for the first time, the club is partnering with local Boy Scouts to offer a pre-rally benefit spaghetti supper from 5 to 7 p.m. today at the fairgrounds, 2217 N. Carroll Blvd.The general public and race participants are invited to support the fundraiser.

“A lot of riders like to load up with carbohydrates before this event,” said Jack Becker, a member of the club’s rally committee.

Tickets for the all-you-can-eat dinner are $8 for adults and $5 for ages 3 to 12; the dinner is free for children 2 and younger.

Organizers also have revised the routes for portions of this year’s ride because of road construction in some areas and added a fourth option — riders can choose to ride 23 miles, 35 miles, 47 miles or 63 miles.

“This is a bicycle rally, so people set their own goals,” said Mary Harris, the event’s committee chairwoman.

The 23-mile route heads north to just east of Ray Roberts Lake and back, and the 35-mile course swings east through Pilot Point, Becker said. A new 47-mile route heads north on back roads to Valley View and then swings to Denton, and the 63-mile route takes riders north, then west over Ray Roberts Lake to Mountain Spring and back through Valley View to the fairgrounds, he said.

Denton Mayor Mark Burroughs and Judge Joe Holland are scheduled to announce the start of the ride, Becker said. Last year’s event drew 850 riders, and organizers are hoping for good weather and another strong turnout.

“We think the sun will be shining brightly on Saturday,” Harris said. “The beauty of the countryside is a big draw.”

Holland, justice of the peace for Precinct 1, was president of the Breakfast Kiwanis Club when the first Turkey Roll was held back in 1982, and he said the weather always makes the event interesting.

“We’ve done it in shorts and T-shirts, and parkas and mittens,” Holland said.

The club began offering online registration three years ago, Becker said, and that has helped boost participation.

Riders who have not registered in advance can still take part in the ride by signing up at the fairgrounds Saturday morning. Registration will begin at 7 a.m., Becker said, and cost is $30 per rider.

The ride typically draws participants of all ages, Harris said.

“We have some toddlers who are being pulled by parents,” she said. “Every year, we see some tandem bicycles and some special models.”

“There’s a lot of color,” Holland said. “And when the ride starts, there’s what I like to refer to as a silent snake of bicycles.”

The Denton Breakfast Kiwanis Club is supported at the event by its sponsored youth clubs and business sponsors. The club sponsors youth service clubs at Denton High School, Guyer High School, Ryan High School, Liberty Christian School, Immaculate Conception Catholic School and the University of North Texas, Becker said.

Members of the youth service clubs will help adults man the various rest stops along the route, Holland said.

“They’ll create their own themes,” he said. “It’s kind of a mini pep rally at each rest stop. These kids really come out and help us on this thing.”

Proceeds will benefit the club’s many community activities, Becker said.

“The top priority of our club is service to children,” he said. “We collaborate regularly with Interfaith Ministries, Denton State School, Children’s Miracle Network and other charities.”

For more information, including a map of the four routes that riders will follow, visit www.dentonbreakfastkiwanis.org .

LES COCKRELL can be reached at 940-566-6887. His e-mail is lcockrell@dentonrc.com .