A major fundraiser for the Apalachicola River keeper is expanding to include not only paddlers, but also peddlers. This year the Apalachicola River trek will be open to cyclists.
The River trek, which is scheduled to start Oct. 6, has traditionally been limited to kayakers. But this time, cyclists will be following along, with their “Ride for the River” starting on Oct.9. Georgia Ackerman is one of the event organizers.
“It’s backpacking, but you’re doing it in a kayak. So you’re jamming all that gear in your boats and figuring out where’s the most logical place. Now bike camping is even more exciting. Now imagine you’re going to take all that gear and stuff it on your bike somewhere," Ackerman says.
The two groups will meet up for a camp out in the Apalachicola forest at the end of the trip. Ackerman says the event is a great way to protect one of the Panhandle’s natural resources. She made her comments on WFSU’s public affairs show, Perspectives.