Life

Pack pedals through town en route to beach

Bicyclist head down Main Street on their way to Visitors Center.

By Tara Johnson, Published: September 30, 2012

Over a thousand bike riders rode through Hendersonville Sunday on the first leg of the "Bike to the Beach" rally, which local developer A.J. Ball has used as a fundraiser for four years.

A.J. Ball, a retired U.S. Army colonel, is riding to raise money for Bruce Drysdale Elementary School.Every year, Ball participates in the Mountain to the Sea bicycle ride, choosing a different local cause or organization to ride for with the help of sponsors, donations and the organization of Cycle North Carolina, an organization that promotes healthy lifestyles through cycling and fitness.
"I'm glad I can help a local charity and focus on the people right in my hometown," said Ball, a retired Army colonel and manager of the Oletta Falls and Pinnacle Falls real estate developments. "When I first started, I was thinking about how I could use it as a fundraiser for the Believe in Tomorrow Children's House at Pinnacle Falls, and we did that for a couple years."
"This year, I got associated with Bruce Drysdale Elementary School and picked them up this year, and am real excited about helping the kids," he said. "With the money we raise, the school will be doing some great things for their education programs and fitness programs."
Bruce Drysdale Elementary School was pleased to be chosen for the event.
"A.J. and the others have been training and preparing for this event for quite some time now," said the school's PTO President, Angie Reid. "A.J. is a local hero to the students at Bruce Drysdale Elementary as he has dedicated his ride to them. We are cheering him on!"
Beginning in Brevard and riding through Hendersonville, the riders took a short break at the Visitors Center on South Main Street, where they were welcomed with cold water. They then pedalled off to Lake Lure, where they were to spend the night before carrying on to their final destination at Carolina Beach, next Sunday, Oct. 7.
The ride includes several stops throughout each day, spaced about 25 miles apart, with a nightly stop, where riders camp out in tents or campers. A lot of the riders have supporters that follow them along the route, carrying fresh clothes and toiletries for a shower at the end of the day.
Overnight stops were scheduled for Shelby, Matthews, Rockingham, Lumberton and White Lake before reaching Carolina Beach, on a barrier island off Wilmington.
Many involved in the bike ride do it for the fun and fitness, some even travelling a couple states over for the ride.
"This is our vacation," said Jeff Kelly, a rider who travelled from Virginia for the ride. "My wife and I took a week off of work and thought it'd be fun to bike ride across North Carolina."
"I love biking and staying fit," said Juanita Goode, an avid bike rider who traveled from Florida for the event. "I try to find bike rides through really scenic areas and for good worthwhile causes, so this ride is perfect."
Ball is not sure what organization will be the recipient of next year's bike ride proceeds.
"It just depends what is going on and where there's a need," he said. "If I feel like I can help somebody and make a difference, then that's what I'm going to do."