It has been ten years since Grace started riding to the beach with a group of friends from Birmingham. This ride has continued in many forms since then, and I even rode it solo last year to keep it’s legacy going. I am proud to say that this year the Tanner Foundation knocked it out of the park with their organizing. Seven of us rode our bikes to the beach this past week to celebrate a legacy and raise funds for MS research.
This ride was so well supported and there were so many unique perks that it was truly a one of a kind event. I can’t think of any other ride with a crew of dedicated volunteers that have kept at it for almost ten years, and it shows in their knowing of the ropes. Each year this trip gets a little smarter, and more special. The volunteers and the organizers made this a very special fund raising vacation. In addition, we raised almost $30,000 to fund the researcher for the Tanner Foundation. If you are interested in helping us along, please click here, https://graceragland.swell.gives/
If you are interested in a multi-day ride to the beach near the end of September next year, please email [email protected] to get on the interested list.
On Wednesday, 9/27 we met up at Cahaba Cycles new location at Oak Mountain, got our sag and gear organized, and began the long ride south. We rode from Pelham to Pine Apple, with a lunch stop short of Selma. The first day had the most miles and elevation. I had not been able to train due to other commitments, and only ended up with about 88 miles the first day. We had some fast folks in the front group, and it was fun riding with them for the first half of the day, but after that I had to take it at my own pace to be able to enjoy it.
Once we arrived at Pine Apple, we were treated not only to accommodations, but also a 3 course dinner at several different historic homes in Pine Apple. This was the most amazing ride stop I have ever encountered. We were greeted at Rockwood for refreshments and massages before being escorted to our beautiful homes from the late 1800 to early 1900’s for showers. They were all beautifully restored and many were furnished with original time period pieces and art.
After getting freshened up, we all went to 3 different homes to have appetizers, entrees and then desserts. The families that opened their homes and hosted us presented us with great stories of the local history. We walked properties, checked out a barn that was basically a museum, looked at the stars and shared stories together before turning in.
Thursday morning, we were treated to breakfast back at Rockwood and then were on our way to the Wind Creek Casino at Atmore. We had lunch at our traditional stop at Conrad Waston A/C. There is a story about a peanut butter sandwich that did not get eaten years ago at this rest stop. Now there is a picture out there somewhere of a little Asian lady shoving an uncrustable down my throat.
Wind Creek is always a special stop on this ride. The accommodations were luxurious, and we had a nice pool and two hot tubs with a massage table waiting for us to enjoy after freshening up from a long day on the bike.
Friday morning, we all got our gear together and then headed to the Waffle House for breakfast. Andy Meginniss of Three on a String Fame was our steady and faithful tail of the group for the first two days, but he got out ahead of the rest of us on day 3. The fast boys sprinted to a couple of county and city markers for the past two days. I was happy he was a good bit ahead of us, as we would be crossing into the state of Florida around mile 12, and the state crossing was not marked. I waited until about mile 10 to let the fast guys know that the state crossing was coming up, that it was not marked, and it looked like Andy would get there first. The sharks started pedaling faster, and I told them they better let that man become the king of Florida. One of the key moments of my trip was getting to see Andy cross the state line ahead of us. I even caught Brad and Hardwick sleeping later and got king of Excel, Florida.
Another treat immediately following our crossing the state line was our annual visit to the pipe people yard art of Butch McDaniel. For at least the last seven years, we have noticed the artwork he has made of scrap metal in his yard, and stopped to take pictures. He has come out and met us several times, and two years ago, Judy Loo told him that she wanted this pig on a tricycle he had made. He said he would make a new one just for her and give it to her next time he saw her.
I went up to his door as we got there, and he came out and saw me and asked if Miss Loo was with us. He had finished touching up that pig and couldn’t wait to give it to her. She was so excited to get her pig, I had to carry that thing around the whole trip. We got our pictures with the pipe people, said bye to Butch, and continued our ride.
Progressively, I think day 3 was way easier than the first two. Technically, riding to the beach is all downhill. We were blessed with incredible weather the whole time with low humidity and a good amount of cloud cover. It might have been the best weather yet on this ride.
We finished our ride at the Caribe Resort on Friday afternoon and were welcomed into some beautiful spacious condos. This was the first year that this ride included accommodation through the weekend, which kept the group together through the end of the 5 day ride. It was special to be able to spend more time off of the bike relaxing with the friends we had been on the bike with every day. It was also great to have the riders and the volunteers all be part of planning and participating in off bike activities. That night we had dinner at the Cobalt next door, and got our gear ready for day 4, which was the first day of the MS150.
Saturday morning, there were about 130 other folks riding with us for the rollout of the MS150. It was great running into other friends who had come down for the ride, and nice having a larger group to roll with. Our group kept a good paceline throughout the ride. It was super windy out there. The route definitely needs some re-thinking, the traffic was pretty crazy on some of those ride, so I may have made a few detours to avoid the congestion. The wind was pretty fierce as well. After the ride some of us got freshened up and headed to the Flor-a-Bama to relax with some bushwhackers beachside, before having a good dinner together.
Sunday the route was pretty much an out and back and mostly beach side, which brought the wind. We headed west in the beginning and enjoyed the tail winds. 6 miles in we turned around and headed east, and fought fierce headwinds until the rest stop at mile 20. I dropped off of my group at mile 5 when someone started pulling at 24mph. My legs were already toast, and I was going back to Bo pace for the rest of the ride. I did tuck in with some other folks for as long as I could stand it, and it really helped with the wind. But I think I really enjoyed myself more when I took it at my own pace, which allowed me to take in the sand and the sea, the seagulls and the huge sky. The best times on the bike are not always about work.
After the ride it was time for the beach. Shea, Hardwick and I went to Cotton Bayou and enjoyed the ocean for a couple hours. The red flag was up for a strong undertow, but Shea and I were on the buddy system, so we braved it. We were able to enjoy a good swim until we started seeing jelly fish. It was still a wonderful day appreciating God’s great beauty.
Monday morning it was down to Judy, Shea, Hardwick and I, and I have to say that I am so fortunate to have been around such energetic, adventure seeking folk on my bike-cation. We had agreed to get up early for the 6th consecutive day of our trip to go to the beach and watch the sun rise. It was magical.
We got out there when it was still dark, but the moon was still pretty full. As soon as we got onto the beach I saw a really bright, what I assumed was the north star. It was Jupiter. I turned to the moon, and you could also see Venus next to it. As the sun rose, we all enjoyed it, took pictures and made friends with some herons. Or at least we were ruining their breakfast spot.
I want to thank the Tanner Foundation for all of their effort that went into making this an unforgettable adventure, and all that they do to help those suffering with MS. Also, I would like to thank all of our volunteers. Judy and Shea put up with us through the whole six days, and they went way beyond what it takes to make sure cyclists have what they need to complete their ride. Congratulations to all of my friends that rode with me, it was great getting to spend that kind of time with every one of you.
This was long, but if you knew the rest, you would be putting this on the calendar next year. https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/nvifygvxx6ueslc1on1tj/AP4qFGhIYMzFfg4N8ei-Gp8?rlkey=v4s1qh1inqzdv5du21oqr4kmf&dl=0