Two-sport legend Bo Jackson’s 9th annual Bo Bikes Bama event will take place April 25, organizers announced.
The annual charity bike ride supports the Governor’s Emergency Relief Fund and has raised nearly $2 million for that cause, which helps citizens after natural disasters.
“I started Bo Bikes Bama to help Alabama recover from the devastating tornadoes in 2011,” Jackson said. “Mother nature continues to remind us, as we saw in Lee County this year, that our work to keep Alabamians safe from storms is as important as ever. By joining me on this ride or donating to our cause, you can help communities throughout the state prepare for future disasters.”
Registration and fundraising will begin Jan. 15 on bobikesbama.com. Participants can choose from a 20-mile ride that starts at 10 a.m. or a 60-mile ride that starts at 7 a.m.
This year’s ride will feature early bird rates, available from Jan. 15 through April 2. Early bird rates are $45 for the 20-mile ride and $65 for the 60-mile ride. Regular online registration will be available from April 3 to April 19 for $50 and $70. Day-of pricing will be $60 and $100.
Registration includes a rider number, Nike t-shirt, access to the ride and rest stops, SAG support, and post-ride lunch.
Jackson will also host a VIP experience for 10 riders, which includes a private ride and brunch with Jackson on Friday, April 24. The $3,000 package includes a two-night stay at the Auburn Alumni Hotel & Convention Center, professional photographs with Jackson, a personally autographed VIP jersey, priority start staging for the Saturday ride, and Bo Bikes Bama merchandise.
More than 7,550 cyclists have joined Jackson over the past seven years, raising more than $1.97 million for disaster recovery and preparedness. The 2019 ride raised more than $427K, the most so far in one year. Funds from sponsorships, donations, registration fees, event tickets, and rider fundraising campaigns are contributed directly to GERF.
In addition to recovery efforts, funds from GERF have been responsible for the construction of 68 safe rooms, 10 emergency warning sirens, and emergency generators for volunteer fire departments. These safe rooms provide shelter to 7,700 Alabamians who previously had no place to hide from natural disasters.
