Biking for a cause

Bikers passed cars and pedestrians around Dartmouth, smiling and waving as they traveled on a long journey to support the environment.

“Riding a bike puts you in a good mood,” said Sandra Medeiros, who rode in the Buzzard’s Bay Coalition annual Watershed Bike Ride on Oct. 5, “It’s really uplifting to your spirit, and you see so much more on a bike, and you can appreciate your surroundings from a bike much more than you would in an automobile.”

The ride is to raise money for the Buzzards Bay Coalition to continue protecting clean water through land conservation and clean up efforts. This year, the ride raised $212,000 which was 42% of the total goal of $500,000. 

There were three options for riders: 100 miles, 77 miles and 41 miles. At the end, there was a party for riders.

Riders who chose 100 or 77 miles could enjoy Dartmouth scenery such as Padanaram Village, Padanaram Bridge and the Little River Bridge. 

Sixteen bikers participated in the ride on the South Coast Bikeway team. The team this year raised $43,667, surpassing the goal of $20,000. The South Coast Bikeway Alliance is hoping to raise money for their own organization by asking donors to match funds. 

Medeiros, a Dartmouth resident and member of the alliance, participated in the bike ride for the 12th time this year. She has done the 75 mile route in the past, but decided to do the 41-mile route this year.

“I decided to do the shorter route … because I get to the party faster, and I can raise the same amount of money and have just a wonderful day doing it,” she said.

Karen Kayser joined the South Coast Bikeway team with her son-in-law to support the coalition. A big part of the reason she and her husband  chose Dartmouth when they retired was because of Buzzards Bay and the opportunity it gave them to sail, swim and see marine life.

Kayser said she and her late husband started participating in the ride to support the Buzzards Bay Coalition and help protect and preserve the area and give back to the South Coast environment.

After her husband passed away last year, Kayser’s son-in-law rode with her this year.

“There are a lot of us who use these trails and roads to ride. It makes a lot of sense to do a fundraiser where we can actually enjoy our rides and raise money at the same time,” said Kayser. 

This year, the weather was perfect for a long ride at high 70° and sunny. When Vincent Mor participated first in the ride, the ride was affected by a hurricane, which cut the 70-mile ride down to 40 miles for riders safety. 

Last year Mor had a hip replacement, and couldn’t ride 76 miles for his birthday. This year, he could.

“This is the opportunity to go 77 miles,” said Mor, “So it’s very silly and individualistic and silly, but that’s why.”

Medeiros called the event “wonderful.” 

“ You’re riding with like minded people that appreciate all the beauty that surrounds us and are energetic and happy to get out there on their bikes and support it,” she said.