The annual Ride for a Cure bike-a-thon to benefit the American Cancer Society rolled through Spanish Fort Friday afternoon. The ride which began Friday morning in Monroeville with 178 riders was joined by a group of local bikers at the Bruno’s parking lot on Spanish Fort Boulevard. Ride organizer Debbie Lee of Monroeville said, “We had over 200 riders by the time we reached Fort Conde in Mobile Friday afternoon.

One of the riders to join the procession was Spanish Fort Councilman Mike McMillan. He was asked to ride after Councilwoman Mary Brabner was forced to give up her place in the ride of an injury to her foot. “I can’t ride,” Brabner said, “I turned my ankle playing tennis. Mike was nice enough to fill in for me.”

McMillan said he got the call Friday morning and agreed to represent the city in the ride. He admitted it had been a while since he had ridden a bike. “I have been on a stationary bike at the Y, but I have not been on a road bike in a while.” McMillan was one of the lead bikers as the procession left Spanish Fort and made its way across the Causeway to Mobile. Brabner was still there to encourage her fellow council member. She helped lead the event riding in Spanish Fort Police Officer Cam Callaway’s police cruiser.

Although the final donation total will not be announced until May 4, Lee said this is the biggest one yet. “We rode 93 miles and collected $135,000 dollars for the American Cancer Society," Lee said. "The most amazing thing is we are still getting donations coming in, I just got another check for $100.”

The annual ride began four years ago when Monroeville radio personality Fred Kelley vowed to ride his bike from Monroeville to The U.S.S. Alabama battleship if he could raise $1,000 for the American Cancer Society. Kelley and eight other riders made the trip and raised $34,000.

“The second year", Lee said, “34 riders left Monroeville and traveled to Montgomery where they were met by the Governor.” The riders raised $67,000that year. “Last year we had over 100 riders that traveled 118 miles from Monroeville to Orange Beach and collected over $96,000.”

Lee explained the ride is fun and exciting for the participants it is not about them. “We are doing it to help find a cure for this dreadful disease. It’s about the survivors.”

One of those cancer survivors, Pat Salter of Burnt Corn, had two daughters peddling for a cure in this year’s bike-a-thon. “They are riding in their mother’s honor.I was diagnosed with breast cancer when I was 36. My youngest daughter was 5 at the time. It affected their lives as much as it did mine.” Salter has been cancer free for 17 years.

Event coordinators are already making plans for the ride in 2008. “We may ride to Troy,” Lee said. “If we do, we hope the bikers from Spanish Fort will join us for the ride next year.”