Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Florida (BBBSNWFL), along with the West Florida Wheelmen Bicycle Club present the annual Fenner Ride on Oct. 31, 2020. The event will be held at the Milton Community Center located at 5629 Byrom St. Milton, Fla. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and respect to social distancing, BBBSNWFL has added a new virtual participation element to this anticipated cycling event.
This cycling event is dedicated to the memory of Fenner McConnell and Matt Wantz. Both men were avid cyclists and former members of the West Florida Wheelmen. Dr. Fenner McConnell, a medical examiner for a four-county district in the Panhandle, was killed in 1998 by a hit-and-run driver as he rode his bicycle across the Bob Sikes Bridge, which connects Pensacola to Santa Rosa Island. Matt was tragically killed while working in a local bike shop.
Adding a virtual element will expand this event and allow people to participate on their own time from anywhere in the world. This option is for individuals who want to participate but may not be local and prefer to stay away from a crowd. Just like the in-person ride, the virtual option will allow individuals to pick from an 18, 42, 62, or 100-mile ride. Each ride will have a map that can be used to guide individuals throughout their route, or riders can set out on their own route is riding from a distance. Once their ride is finished, they will be able to submit their time through a virtual platform called, RunSignUp. All participants virtual and in-person will receive a t-shirt, medal, and a promotional gift bag.
Early registration is happening now through Oct. 16, 2020. Registration is $45 for both the in-person and virtual ride option. After Oct. 16, registration prices will increase to $55. For those who are participating locally, registration packets can be picked up at 1320 Creighton Rd. Pensacola, Fla. on Oct. 30 from 12 noon – 7 p.m. or the morning of the ride. Day-of ride registration will begin at 6:30 a.m. (CST). The 100-mile riders will begin at 7:30 a.m.. with the remaining riders beginning at 8 A.M. BBBSNWFL is taking ample precautions to ensure the health and safety of all participants is the top priority.
BBBSNWFL has also created branded cycling jersey that can be preordered now until Sept. 10, 2020. Men’s and women’s jersey are available for all sizes and each jersey is $60. For those who are not local, jerseys will be mailed to a home address. For those who are local, jerseys can be picked up at the same time of packet pick-up. A portion of all jersey sales benefit BBBSNWFL.
You can sign up for Fenner Ride and purchase a jersey by visiting, bbbsnwfl.org/event/fenner-ride/. This is a ride for all cycling levels, so don’t miss this opportunity to participate from anywhere in the world! All proceeds from this event benefit BBBSNWFL.
