Bikers get instructions from Dr. Henley on the rules and the route. If you have ever seen an almost perfect day for a bike ride, Saturday, April 3, had to be that day. It was just warm enough, just cool enough, just breezy enough and just still enough to make it just right.

The seventh annual Mayhaw Century Bike Ride is sponsored each year by the Colquitt-Miller County Chamber of Commerce. This year the event drew riders from Alabama, Florida and Georgia as 65 riders left the starting point in front of the old gym on Perry Drive at 8:00 a.m. This was the largest group to participate in the past seven years.

The ages of the bikers varied from 11-year-old Parren Lews of Enterprise, AL, to 74-year-young Roger Carey of Bainbridge.

The event was organized into rides over a good portion of Southwest Georgia for 32 miles, 62 miles and 100 miles.

There was a category one racer, which is the most elite level of amateur racing in USA cycling.

Gage Kronberger, 13, of Dothan, AL, stayed up with the big boys in the 100 mile ride and will compete in the White Sands Triathlon in Panama City, FL, Saturday. AL, to 74-year-young Roger into rides over a good portion There was also a mother/ son duo riding regular Western Flyer style bikes on the 100 mile run. They came in at approximately 5:00 p.m. They left the parking lot without helmets or water bottles. There were side bets that someone would have to bring them in.

Three bikers from Colquitt who had good rides were Misti Middleton, Carroll Middleton and Jessica Mc- Covey.

The first group of 100 mile riders reached the finish line in four hours and 31 minutes, which was a Mayhaw Century Bike Race record.

John Moody, 73, of Hardwick, said he was always glad to be back in Colquitt and to finish this bike race. John is the son of Mrs. Mary Moody, formerly of Colquitt, who recently turned 100 years young.

Carroll and Misti Middleton enjoying a brisk ride. Most of the riders that were talked to had nothing but praise for the course, the facilities, the refreshment stops, the vehicles checking the riders and the beautiful weather. The only complaint was that one farmer near town had just spread a large field of chicken manure.

As several of the riders stated, you can’t make chicken manure smell like anything but what it is, and being freshly stirred leaves no question as to what it is. The people in Colquitt will agree on the smell.

Race organizer, Dr. Russ Henley, who is an excellent bike rider himself, wanted to thank all of those who helped to make this event possible each year.

Dr. Henley stated, “This was by far the most successful ride yet, and we look forward to an even better ride next year. If the volunteers continue to come, I might even get to participate in a coming event.”

Two riders make somewhere around the 100 mile in approximately nine hours on regular bikes. Thanks to photographers, Leigh Johns and Wig Geer, for their contributions to the over 200 photos that can be seen on our website under DotPhoto.
John Moody checks with Dr. Henley before leaving.