Madison rests right on a well-traveled bike route known as The Southern Tier. The tier stretches from San Diego, Ca., to St. Augustine, Fl. and brings many bikers and bike groups through the county.
On Thursday, April 21, a biker tour group called ‘Bubba’s Pampered Peddlers,’ took a break in the county and made a stop in the city of Madison to rest, refresh and visit the downtown shops and restaurants.
The group is made up of 37 riders and 15 staff members with riders ranging in age from 23 years old to their oldest member being 83 years old.
Jenine Morehouse and Wayne Baird are two of the group’s riders.
This tour along the Southern Tier is the longest trek that Morehouse has ever done, but Baird is a seasoned biker, having been down this route previously in 2010.
Baird, who is from Ofallon, Mo., has completed treks such as Gapco, which is from Pittsburg, Pa., to Washington D.C. and the Katy Trail in Missouri.
Morehouse, a Florida resident from Tampa, has completed a Florida Coast-to-Coast bike tour.
“Doing this everyday, [is] really incredible,” said Morehouse.
The group is also representing various countries, with riders hailing from Belgium, Netherlands, Canada and Denmark.
Both Morehouse and Baird are riding to support causes dear to their heart.
With a heart for animals, Baird is riding to support an animal shelter in Edwardsville, Il., Metro East Humane Society and has a goal of $30K. So far, he has raised a total of $2,651 during his various biking treks.
Morehouse is supporting a charity group called “It’s Bigger Than Me.” The group purchases bikes and helmets for foster and at-risk children. Her goal of $10K is at $2,865.
Morehouse’s GoFundMe can be found at www.gofundme.com/onbikes.
Baird’s GoFundMe can be found at www.gofundme.com/cyclingforpaws.
The bike tour group began their trek on March 5, when they left San Diego.
They are expected to reach St. Augustine and the end of their trip on May 5; giving them a total of 62 days of biking.