The South Carolina Chapter's 3-day group cycling event has wrapped up for its 16th annual year, raising spirits and over $1.2 million along the cross-state journey.
Over the weekend of July 12-14, 2024, a group of passionate cyclists pedaled over 257 miles of hot asphalt and beautiful countryside for the Alzheimer’s Association®
Ride to End ALZ South Carolina, presented by RYOBI.
Cyclists from the event have become a familiar sight along South Carolina roadways as they wind their way from Simpsonville to Mt. Pleasant each year, with overnight stops in Newberry and Orangeburg. Now in its sixteenth year, the event has already raised $1.2 million toward this year’s $1.5 million goal to advance the research, care and support efforts of the Alzheimer’s Association.
“It's thrilling to know that the fundraising efforts of our cyclists and volunteers are having a direct impact on the fight to end Alzheimer's and all dementia,” said Jerry Chapman, Director of Ride to End ALZ South Carolina. “Our 400 group riders and 60 virtual participants ride with the hope and belief that effective treatments — and ultimately a cure — are within sight.”
This homegrown event started in 2009 with just 20 riders raising $16,000. They had a great time, learned a few lessons and brought some friends with them to do it all again the next year… which is exactly how one volunteer’s ambitious idea grew to become the leading Ride to End ALZ destination in the nation! Over the last 15 years, the South Carolina ride has raised a cumulative $6.4 million to support the work of the Alzheimer’s Association.
Despite its remarkable growth, Ride to End ALZ South Carolina consistently delivers an exceptionally-supported cross-state bicycle ride, providing meals, luggage transportation and medical and mechanical assistance throughout
the three-day route along South Carolina’s roadways:
- Day 1 started at Heritage Park in Simpsonville, SC, taking riders approximately 65 miles over hilly, green country roads to the campus of Newberry College located in Newberry, SC.
- Day 2 was arguably the most challenging day, covering approximately 90 hilly miles through small Midlands towns to bustling Orangeburg, SC.
- Day 3 covered 101 miles over mostly flat rural highways into the historic center of Charleston and over the harbor via the iconic Ravenel Bridge, finishing the 257-mile journey in Mt. Pleasant, SC.
While the journey itself is memorable, it’s the people of Ride to End ALZ who make this event truly special.
Each of our cyclists undertakes a tremendous challenge when they sign up for Ride to End ALZ, including hours upon hours of physical training on the bike, getting their bodies ready and acclimated to heat, humidity and hills. In addition, each group rider must raise the required fundraising minimum of $750 in order to participate.
But despite the heat and discomfort, most of our riders are deeply motivated by someone in their life who has been impacted by Alzheimer’s or another type of dementia. For them, this is one way that they can help fight back. Many riders bear names on their backs as they ride, and photos of loved ones greet them on our “Why I Ride” wall and moving Reflection Row.
As cyclist Ridgley Joyner (pictured above)
told ABC Columbia, “I’ve been doing it for over 10 years. These people are my family… We’re doing this ride for people who mean a lot to use who are unfortunately suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. I just keep coming back year after year for the people and the people we ride for.”
This year, we were especially inspired by two cyclists who are living with early-stage Alzheimer's, both of whom completed the 257-mile route with smiles on their faces. One of them was well-known former
WYFF news anchor Geoff Hart, who completed the ride for the 3rd straight year with WYFF's Team Hartstrong.
Ride to End ALZ is exceptionally blessed with many enthusiastic and dedicated volunteers who are up before the sun each day to load trucks, set up rest stops, prepare sandwiches and meals, top off water bottles and keep spirits high even as temperatures rise. Still more volunteers provide mechanical and medical support during the route or greet riders at the finish line with cheers, cowbells, cool mists and cold drinks.
Many of these passionate cyclists and volunteers return year after year, always anticipating a lively reunion with the cycling community that has become an extended family, even if they only see each other for 3 days each summer.
“I started when my mom was diagnosed with early onset four years ago, and when I heard about it, it seemed like something I could do that actually would do something...” cyclist Cory Donovan of Baltimore, Maryland,
told WIS News at the Day 1 finish line. “Every year, I look forward to this so much, and there’s people I see at the ride that I don’t see except for at the ride. This is the only time I get to see them, and every time, it’s like seeing family again. It’s really special." Donovan is pictured rightmost in the photo of our Ride to End ALZ South Carolina Ambassadors below.
While the three-day group ride is limited to road cyclists, Ride to End ALZ South Carolina also offers a virtual challenge option that is open to casual bike riders, mountain bikers and spin enthusiasts. Registration for the virtual challenge is free and will remain open through the end of July.
To make a donation in support of this year’s $1.5 million goal, visit alz.org/ridesc.
As always, funds raised by Ride to End ALZ South Carolina will continue to accelerate the Association’s research efforts to discover methods of treatment and prevention for Alzheimer's and all dementia — while also maximizing care and support for all facing the disease.
Check out additional news coverage of Ride to End ALZ South Carolina.
Alzheimer's Association
The Alzheimer's Association leads the way to end Alzheimer's and all other dementia — by accelerating global research, driving risk reduction and early detection, and maximizing quality care and support. Our vision is a world without Alzheimer's and all other dementia.™ For more information, visit www.alz.org or call the 24/7 Helpline at 800.272.3900.