MONTICELLO – Organizers held a press conference Oct. 16 to discuss plans for a second annual bicycling event in Lawrence County after a successful first run earlier this year.
The Red Bluff Gran Fondo will be March 7, 2020, and will include additional events and a new ride distance to accommodate more participants and varying ability levels.
The trek will depart from and return to Monticello with three distances: Gran Fondo of 103 miles, Metric Century (mCentury) of 65 miles and the new Petit Fondo of 38 miles. “Gran fondo” is an Italian phrase used in cycling that roughly translates into “big ride,” so “petit fondo” would be “little ride.”
The event has the backing of several major corporations, including Entergy Mississippi, C Spire, the Mississippi Department of Tourism, Georgia-Pacific, Hood Industries, The Bike Crossing and First Commercial Bank.
Funds raised will be used to establish the Lawrence County Volunteer Fire Department Training Center, offering firefighters from throughout South Mississippi a training location close to their homes. The event donated $10,000 in its inaugural year 2019.
“We’re very excited to be presenting sponsor of an event in south Mississippi that promotes so many positive things,” said Haley Fisackerly, Entergy Mississippi president and CEO. “With one event, we can promote our state, promote a healthy lifestyle and provide much needed funds to the Lawrence County Volunteer Fire Department.”
“As a company that gets its inspiration from customers, we’re looking forward to supporting an event that encourages individuals to get outdoors and see our great state through the sport of bicycling,” said Jim Richmond, vice president of marketing for C Spire. “Sports and recreation are two powerful ways to promote health and wellness in our state.”
For more information, visit www.RedBluffGranFondo.com or www.Strava.com/clubs/Red-Bluff-481122. nMONTICELLO – Organizers held a press conference Oct. 16 to discuss plans for a second annual bicycling event in Lawrence County after a successful first run earlier this year.
The Red Bluff Gran Fondo will be March 7, 2020, and will include additional events and a new ride distance to accommodate more participants and varying ability levels.
The trek will depart from and return to Monticello with three distances: Gran Fondo of 103 miles, Metric Century (mCentury) of 65 miles and the new Petit Fondo of 38 miles. “Gran fondo” is an Italian phrase used in cycling that roughly translates into “big ride,” so “petit fondo” would be “little ride.”
The event has the backing of several major corporations, including Entergy Mississippi, C Spire, the Mississippi Department of Tourism, Georgia-Pacific, Hood Industries, The Bike Crossing and First Commercial Bank.
Funds raised will be used to establish the Lawrence County Volunteer Fire Department Training Center, offering firefighters from throughout South Mississippi a training location close to their homes. The event donated $10,000 in its inaugural year 2019.
“We’re very excited to be presenting sponsor of an event in south Mississippi that promotes so many positive things,” said Haley Fisackerly, Entergy Mississippi president and CEO. “With one event, we can promote our state, promote a healthy lifestyle and provide much needed funds to the Lawrence County Volunteer Fire Department.”
“As a company that gets its inspiration from customers, we’re looking forward to supporting an event that encourages individuals to get outdoors and see our great state through the sport of bicycling,” said Jim Richmond, vice president of marketing for C Spire. “Sports and recreation are two powerful ways to promote health and wellness in our state.”
For more information, visit www.RedBluffGranFondo.com or www.Strava.com/clubs/Red-Bluff-481122.
Pictured Above: Organizers of the Red Bluff Gran Fondo hold a flag with the event’s logo at a press conference Oct. 16 at the Lawrence County Courthouse in Monticello. Front row, from left, are Bo Bourne (First Commercial Bank, sponsor and president of RBGF), Leigh Ann Reeves (Lawrence County Community Development Association and secretary for RBGF), Elizabeth Turnage (mayor of Silver Creek), Jessica Breazeale (Georgia-Pacific sponsor) and Terrell Knight (C Spire sponsor); middle row, Carter Lusk- C Spire (sponsor), Martha Watts (Monticello mayor and board member) and Missy Hotard (Hood Industries sponsor); back row, Hugh Summers (Monticello Fire Department), Anna Durr (Board of Directors treasurer and State Bank), Dave Nichols (LC Community Development Association and Board of Director). | Photo submitted
