Cyclists are gearing up for the third annual Dam Ride to benefit the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.
Alabama Power Company puts on the annual training ride, which will take place April 20-21.
Cyclists will depart from Alabama Power headquarters in downtown Birmingham at 9 a.m. Friday, April 20 on a 78-mile supported ride to Lay Dam. A shorter route is available.
“It’s a wonderful training ride. All of the funds go back to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society for use in our local communities to help with research, programs and services,” said Victoria Rutledge with the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. “It’s a great time and fun. It’s one of the first rides of the spring. It really kind of helps launch our bike season.”
Many of the cyclists are preparing for the Alabama-Mississippi Chapter’s three Bike MS events later this year. Those include rides in Huntsville in June, Orange Beach in September and Mississippi in October.
The Dam Ride raises money and awareness for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society as bicyclists ride from downtown Birmingham to Lay Dam. (Meg McKinney / Alabama NewsCenter)
The Dam Ride raises money and awareness for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society as bicyclists ride from downtown Birmingham to Lay Dam. (Meg McKinney / Alabama NewsCenter)
The Dam Ride raises money and awareness for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society as bicyclists ride from downtown Birmingham to Lay Dam. (Meg McKinney / Alabama NewsCenter)
The Dam Ride raises money and awareness for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society as bicyclists ride from downtown Birmingham to Lay Dam. (Meg McKinney / Alabama NewsCenter)
The Dam Ride raises money and awareness for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society as bicyclists ride from downtown Birmingham to Lay Dam. (Meg McKinney / Alabama NewsCenter)
There will be food and fun, and participants may spend the night at Lay Dam Friday night, with more cycling and paddling on Saturday. (Meg McKinney)
The Dam Ride raises money and awareness for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society as bicyclists ride from downtown Birmingham to Lay Dam. (Meg McKinney / Alabama NewsCenter)
The Dam Ride raises money and awareness for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society as bicyclists ride from downtown Birmingham to Lay Dam. (Meg McKinney / Alabama NewsCenter)
The Dam Ride raises money and awareness for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society as bicyclists ride from downtown Birmingham to Lay Dam. (Meg McKinney / Alabama NewsCenter)
The Dam Ride raises money and awareness for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society as bicyclists ride from downtown Birmingham to Lay Dam. (Meg McKinney / Alabama NewsCenter)
Cyclists depart from Alabama Power Company headquarters at 9 a.m. Friday, April 20 on a 78-mile supported ride on beautiful Alabama backroads to Lay Dam. (Meg McKinney)
The Dam Ride raises money and awareness for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society as bicyclists ride from downtown Birmingham to Lay Dam. (Meg McKinney / Alabama NewsCenter)
The Dam Ride raises money and awareness for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society as bicyclists ride from downtown Birmingham to Lay Dam. (Meg McKinney / Alabama NewsCenter)
The Dam Ride raises money and awareness for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society as bicyclists ride from downtown Birmingham to Lay Dam. (Meg McKinney / Alabama NewsCenter)
The Dam Ride raises money and awareness for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society as bicyclists ride from downtown Birmingham to Lay Dam. (Meg McKinney / Alabama NewsCenter)
The Dam Ride raises money and awareness for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society as bicyclists ride from downtown Birmingham to Lay Dam. (Meg McKinney / Alabama NewsCenter)
The Dam Ride raises money and awareness for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society as bicyclists ride from downtown Birmingham to Lay Dam. (Meg McKinney / Alabama NewsCenter)
The Dam Ride raises money and awareness for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society as bicyclists ride from downtown Birmingham to Lay Dam. (Meg McKinney / Alabama NewsCenter)
The Dam Ride raises money and awareness for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society as bicyclists ride from downtown Birmingham to Lay Dam. (Meg McKinney / Alabama NewsCenter)
The Dam Ride raises money and awareness for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society as bicyclists ride from downtown Birmingham to Lay Dam. (Meg McKinney / Alabama NewsCenter)
The Dam Ride raises money and awareness for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society as bicyclists ride from downtown Birmingham to Lay Dam. (Meg McKinney / Alabama NewsCenter)
The Dam Ride raises money and awareness for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society as bicyclists ride from downtown Birmingham to Lay Dam. (Meg McKinney / Alabama NewsCenter)
The Dam Ride raises money and awareness for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society as bicyclists ride from downtown Birmingham to Lay Dam. (Meg McKinney / Alabama NewsCenter)
The Dam Ride raises money and awareness for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society as bicyclists ride from downtown Birmingham to Lay Dam. (Meg McKinney / Alabama NewsCenter)
The Dam Ride raises money and awareness for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society as bicyclists ride from downtown Birmingham to Lay Dam. (Meg McKinney / Alabama NewsCenter)
Registration for the Dam Ride is $50; however, there is no cost for cyclists registered for any later Bike MS event.
This year’s ride will include a new separate 12-mile paddle for kayakers on the Coosa River. A shorter route is also available.
Kayakers will depart at 9 a.m. Friday, April 20 from LaCoosa Marina near Shelby.
Riders and kayakers will enjoy an afternoon of food and fun at Lay Dam, including boat rides, games, bonfires and an Italian dinner.
Participants have the option to spend the night Friday at the dam house and enjoy more cycling and paddling Saturday.
On Saturday, cyclists can choose from three ride options: a 35-mile loop to Mitchell Dam, a 75-mile route back to Birmingham or both.
The National MS Society will provide support and gear vehicles along all route options as well as all meals.
For details and to register, visit Eventbrite.com and search “The Dam Ride-Bike/Kayak” or click here.
For more information, contact Victoria Rutledge at 205-879-8546 or victoria.rutledge@nmss.org.
The Dam Ride raises money and awareness for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society as bicyclists ride from downtown Birmingham to Lay Dam. (Meg McKinney / Alabama NewsCenter)
WHEN: Friday, April 20 and Saturday, April 21
WHERE: The bike ride will begin at 9 a.m. Friday at Alabama Power Company headquarters. The kayak ride will begin at 9 a.m. Friday at LaCoosa Marina.
WHY: To raise money for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.
QUESTIONS: Contact Victoria Rutledge at 205-879-8546 or victoria.rutledge@nmss.org
HASHTAGS: #bikeMS and #DontJustRide
