Two-sport legend Bo Jackson’s charity bike ride will take place Saturday, April 23, 2022
AUBURN, Ala. (Nov. 22, 2021) – Two-sport legend, businessman and philanthropist Bo Jackson will lead his eleventh annual Bo Bikes Bama charity bike ride on Saturday, April 23, 2022, in Auburn, Ala. The event, which raises money for his home state of Alabama, was canceled in 2020 and adapted to an at-home ride in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Our supporters have remained dedicated to the Bo Bikes Bama cause despite restrictions from the COVID-19 pandemic, which prevented us from riding together in 2020 and 2021,” said Jackson. “We have proven we can still make a difference while we’re apart, but I sure am ready for us to get back together on April 23. There’s nothing like the energy and camaraderie you feel when riding among friends, and I can’t wait to get back out there.”
Registration to participate and fundraise for Bo Bikes Bama will open on Jan. 19, 2022, at bobikesbama.com. The cost to participate is $85 for the 60-mile ride and $65 for the 20-mile ride. For those who are unable to travel to Auburn, an at-home option will also be available for $55. Unlike past years, registration will only be offered online and will close Sunday, April 3, at 8:00 p.m. CT. No day-of registration will be offered to allow staff and volunteers to manage heightened safety protocols.
Each registrant will be mailed a Bo Bikes Bama rider packet in the mail in advance of the ride, including a Nike t-shirt, rider number, sticker, commemorative bike plate, and wristband. Registrants will also have the exclusive opportunity to purchase limited-edition Bo Bikes Bama cycling jerseys, caps and socks.
Both cyclists and supporters can also participate in a Friday evening reception and silent auction that will take place at the Auburn Alumni Center on South College Street. Attendees will have the opportunity to bid on one-of-a-kind sports memorabilia and hear from Jackson about the upcoming ride. Tickets for the reception will be available online for $100 per person. Tickets include hors d’oeuvres, beer and wine.
Jackson will again host an exclusive Bo Bikes Bama VIP Experience in and around Auburn on Friday, April 22 2022. This one-of-a-kind experience with Bo includes a private 20-mile bike ride and lunch with Jackson, a behind-the-scenes tour of Jordan-Hare Stadium, a two-night stay at The Hotel at Auburn University, select merchandise, professional photos and more. Registration will be open to 15 individuals for $2,000 each beginning January 19, 2022. Proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test within 48 hours of April 22, 2022, will be required to participate.
Nike, Trek Bicycle, Trek Travel and Big Communications will return in 2022 as producing partners, allowing the volunteer-led event to keep expenses to a minimum so that funds can be contributed directly to the cause. Organizations interested in sponsoring the ride can email sponsorbbb@gmail.com for more information. Additional news and updates regarding the 2022 ride will be posted to bobikesbama.com, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
IMPORTANT DATES
January 19 – Bo Bikes Bama Ride Registration and Fundraising Opens
April 3 – Bo Bikes Bama Ride Registration ClosesApril 22 – VIP ride and Bo Bikes Bama Reception and Silent Auction
April 23 – Bo Bikes Bama 20-Mile and 60-Mile Rides
April 27 – 11th Anniversary of the April 27 Tornadoes
About Bo Bikes Bama
Bo Bikes Bama is a charity bike ride started by sports legend Bo Jackson to honor the lives lost during the April 27, 2011 tornado outbreak and to help the state of Alabama recover and prepare for the future. On the first anniversary of the storms, Jackson embarked on a five-day journey following the path of the tornadoes and was joined by a host of celebrity friends. Bo Bikes Bama became an annual event in April 2013, when Bo returned to Alabama for a one-day ride in Cordova, Alabama, one of the hardest-hit cities of the 2011 outbreak. Since 2014, supporters have gathered in Auburn, Alabama for the ride.
Over the past 11 years, Bo Bikes Bama has grown to annually attract well over 1,000 cyclists each year from across the country and has raised more than $2.2 million. Bo Bikes Bama initiatives support the Governor’s Emergency Relief Fund, which has repaired hundreds of homes and funded community storm shelters throughout the state. Producing partners include Nike, Trek Bicycle, Trek Travel, and Big Communications.
About the Governor’s Emergency Relief Fund
The Governor’s Emergency Relief Fund (GERF) was established immediately following the April 27, 2011 tornadoes. GERF helps Alabamians who have exhausted all other avenues of disaster relief provided by insurance, government funding, and relief organizations. Through the fund, 600 homes have been repaired at an average cost of $6,482. GERF has also funded projects to protect the state in future natural disasters, including 68 community safe rooms, 10 emergency warning sirens, and emergency generators for volunteer fire departments. A nine-member committee reviews requests presented by Long Term Recovery Committees from across the state and votes on funding to help individuals and communities recover. United Ways of Alabama serves as the fiscal agent for GERF, which is administered by the Alabama Governor’s Office of Volunteer Services (previously Serve Alabama).
