The final Bo Bikes Bama ride attracted participants from across the country to honor those who lost their lives in the devastating 2011 tornado outbreak.
Hundreds of cyclists gathered at Auburn University for the ride, accompanied by former Auburn University athlete and Heisman Trophy winner Bo Jackson.
“It’s a little surreal,” said Rod Sanford, a seven-time participant. “When you come here and see Bo, along with many of his sports peers, it’s almost like a dream. It’s overwhelming.”
However, these cyclists aren’t just riding to meet Bo Jackson—they’re here for a much larger purpose.
“This ride takes you back to 2011, when those tornadoes swept through the state and claimed nearly 400 lives,” Bo Jackson explained. “Mother Nature doesn’t care if you’re cheering for ‘Roll Tide’ or ‘War Eagle’—when she comes through, the best thing to do is get out of her way.”
Bo Bikes Bama was launched on the first anniversary of the tornadoes as a way to show support and raise funds for those affected. Today, the money raised goes to support the Alabama Governor’s Emergency Fund, which provides financial assistance for natural disaster relief and the construction of tornado shelters.
Inspired by Jackson’s mission, one father and son duo traveled all the way from Oklahoma to participate in the ride.
“I can’t say enough about Bo’s generosity toward the community and how he represents everything that Alabama stands for,” said Zack Duffy, a first-time participant, with his son by his side. “That spirit of giving back to the community is what really motivates us to be here today, in honor of Bo and the people of Alabama who endured those tornadoes.”
Though this was the last Bo Bikes Bama ride, the event’s legacy lives on through the lives impacted by the funds raised and the lasting memories created over the past 14 years.
Leave a Reply