Bikers to ride for worthy cause
Phil Cohen wants cyclists to have a good time Saturday for a worthy cause.
Cohen, the owner of Chain Reaction Bicycling, is bringing back the Best Dam Bike Ride Ever for its third year, with proceeds benefiting the Southeastern Firefighters' Burn Foundation.
This year's ride, which will be in honor of the late Dr. Joseph M. Still, the founder of the foundation and of the Joseph M. Still Burn Center at Doctors Hospital, will kick off from Thurmond Dam on Thurmond Lake at 8:30 a.m.
The Best Dam Bike Ride is divided into three levels of difficulty to accommodate families or beginners, intermediate skilled riders and experienced long-distance riders, Cohen said.
The family/beginner ride will cover 23 miles and proceed west from Thurmond Dam to Pollards Corner, south to Appling, then north to Phinizy, before concluding at the Clarks Hill picnic area, Cohen said.
The intermediate or main ride will leave the dam into South Carolina and pass through Plum Branch and Savannah Lakes before re-entering Georgia near Lincolnton, returning to the picnic area through Leah and Pollards Corner, Cohen said.
The third option, for experienced distance riders, adds a 24-mile extension to Mount Carmel from the intermediate route.
Cohen said there will be plenty of scenic rest stops along each course.
"It's all about having fun and getting exercise," he said. "It's just a fun day to go riding with your friends."
Because riders will be traveling open roads, Cohen stressed caution and adherence to the rules of the road.
"The only thing we can't control is the weather," he said, adding the ride will be held rain or shine.
Preregistration for the ride is $25 and children 12 and under accompanied by an adult are free. Riders may also register the day of the ride at Thurmond Dam beginning at 7 a.m. The cost to register the day of the ride is $30.
A free continental breakfast from Sunrise Grill will be provided beginning at 7:30 a.m. and a post-ride meal will be provided by Mot's Barbecue.
For more information or to preregister, contact Cohen at (706) 855-2024.