Cyclists enjoy Prison to Peanuts Bicycle Adventure

Published 3:29 pm Thursday, May 23, 2019

From Staff Reports

 

AMERICUS – On Saturday, May 4, at around 7 a.m., a group of 75 cyclists met at Lenny’s Market in Americus to begin the annual Prison to Peanuts Ride. Riders of various skill levels and abilities rode various distances and enjoyed the beautiful countryside and historical aspects throughout Sumter County. Some chose the 12-mile ride. Others chose the 34-mile ride, while others chose to ride either 65 or 105 miles.

Sumter Cycling, the River Valley Region Commission, the Jimmy Carter National Historic Site and the Andersonville Historic Site sponsor the annual ride.

Riders from various locations outside of the county showed up to take part in the ride. There were riders from as far away as Chattanooga, Rome, Albany and Fayetteville. Since this was a family affair, the riding pace was whatever the riders decided: either fast or slow. Everyone was welcomed to participate. However, regardless of the distance or pace, all of the riders had fun participating.

Several rest stops were situated along the routes so the riders could stop and fuel up with beverages and snacks to help keep them going. All routes, except the 12-mile route, stopped at the Jimmy Carter National Historic Site so that the riders could enjoy snacks provided by the Junior Service League of Americus. Those covering the 65 and 105-mile routes also enjoyed refueling stops in Ellaville at the Ellaville Methodist Church and in Andersonville at the National Historic Site. The cyclists completing the 105-mile ride also enjoyed refreshments in Leslie.

Regardless of which ride the cyclists chose to complete, all of the riders ended their ride at Lenny’s Market. Once there, each rider received a BBQ sandwich, a drink, a bag of chips and a cup of homemade peanut butter ice cream from Plains, GA.

All riders that registered received a commemorative T-shirt for the event.

Sumter Cycling’s mission is to promote cycling for enjoyment, transportation, fitness and the environment. The organization has already set the date for next year’s Prison to Peanuts ride. It will be on Saturday, May 2, 2020.

For more information, those interested in participating with Sumter Cycling can go to www.sumtercycling.org.