The Ride Rosemary recently visited the Holiday Inn Express in Andalusia as part of the five-day, 525-mile trek starting in Memphis, Tennessee, to Rosemary Beach, Florida.
In it’s 13th season, the current squad of men have participated in this charity cycling event to raise awareness about cancer and raise money to fight cancer. Ride 2 Rosemary promotes an active, healthy life style and supports the work of the West Cancer Foundation.
Dr. John Kakales has ridden with the cyclists’ group since the beginning of the group in 2011.
“Our beginnings began with nine of us who were friends with one of us. He was in prison and spotted the desire of his bicycle to Florida following his release. We decided that we would like to travel, too which is how we discovered an organization that we could support and honor simultaneously. One of our men is a gynecologist with the West Cancer Foundation, and every dollar we’ve collected was dollar for dollar donated to the West Cancer Foundation. From the initial nine participants in Memphis the organization evolved into a faith-based walk and a men’s retreat for boys to be boys. There are more than 100 riders participants on the roster along with our many riders in their 60s, after having been in the 50s last year.” Kakales said.
This year’s group started their journey on a Saturday, September. 30 in Memphis and then made their first destination in Tupelo, Mississippi. From there they made their next as well as third stop within Tuscaloosa as well as Selma. Andalusia became their 4th destination on Tuesday, October. 3. They were staying for the night at The Holiday Inn Express. The group dispersed from Andalusia the following day, October. 4, and concluded their journey when they arrived at Rosemary Beach in the afternoon the same day.
“We arrived on the autumn break this time so that our families could be there. After taking a ride with our buddies and having lunch, we had the chance to spend time with family members. It’s amazing to raise money to help fight cancer. We’re honored to be able to help people suffering from cancer or have lost loved ones. The pain and loss they endure do not even compare to the joy of climbing up an uphill .”
Kakales was devastated when he lost his mother and father-in-law to cancer.
“This really hit home for me. Over the past few years we’ve been doing this for many years and witnessed other relatives and acquaintances go from cancer. This ride is a way to honor their fond memories. Everyone within our team has had the privilege of being affected by cancer. We go through it around the same time each year, or we make plans for to do it when fall break falls at the schools,” the doctor said.
The company prefers having riders who live near to where the journey begins every year.
Kakales said Covington County and Andalusia locals could help by donating to the cause at classy.org/campaign/ride-2-rosemary-2023/c495977.
The group has been staying in the Holiday Inn Express each year from October. 4 in 2011, 2 years since the hotel’s opening in Andalusia. Ride 2 Rosemary booked one of the hotel’s rooms reserved on Tuesday night.
“These are the most incredible Godly men who have given of themselves to raise funds to fund cancer research. They’ve all been through the afflictions of cancer and serve as an inspiration to all of us. We view it as an absolute blessing to travel to Andalusia and we are honored to have them stay in our hotel. Each year, they visit to increase their numbers and there’s a chance they’ll be able to book the entire hotel in the next year if they continue to grow like they are now,” Holiday Inn Express General Manager Dianne Inmon stated.
Inmon said that every time they make a stop in Andalusia the citizens should thank these guys for what they do.
“Just raise your hand and congratulate them. They travel through a lot of towns, and we should stop if we encounter them while driving and pay tribute to them. The daughter of my in-law died from cancer just three years ago, and this is a significant cause for me. We praise the Lord today that she has been declared cancer-free .”
Trey Chitman, 43, is a 15-year-old cyclist and joined the club in the year. He serves as the director of a non-profit organisation known as America’s Kids of Arkansas.
“I have a lot of acquaintances on my cycling team as well as in my club who have been on this race before. It’s an honour to be asked to participate and be part of this group of friends. Like many families across the world, our family has been severely affected by different forms of cancer. My first encounter occurred with my Aunt Vivian along with my grandfather Gary. My Aunt was diagnosed with cancer in the early 2000s, and battled for 10 years before ending her fight against cancer. I have many relatives who have survived thanks to advances in technology and medicine,” Chitman said.
Ben Ladd, 46, is the chief operating officer at Aquaserv Inc. located in Memphis. He began his cycling adventure in the year 2019 when he signed up for Ride 2 Rosemary.
“This community is amazing and I am happy with the ways we can support and assist the community as well as one another. Two of the most obvious ways cancer has affected my life is through my grandfather, who was battling prostate cancer for more than 10 years, and my wife, who lost her mother to leukemia at nine years old.” Ladd said.
Jon Ewing, 50, is the Chief Operating Officer at the women’s clinic located in Jackson, Tennessee. He has been part of the organization for nearly all of 12 years old.
“I am a huge fan of Oak Hill and the memories created by climbing to the top. I adore 30A on the final day. Every year new memories are made by this group of brothers, despite the fact that some of the locations may be similar,” Ewing said.
Will Parrish, 36 is the third year he has been a part of the group. He sees this year’s Ride 2 Rosemary as a an opportunity to test himself.
“I like to test myself. A journey of over 500 miles in just five days is a great challenge. Additionally, the ride helps an important cause. Based on my experiences so far the men’s group is a community of men that go through life’s ups and downs with each other,” Parrish said.
For more information about the West Cancer Foundation in Tennessee call 901-322-2984 or visit Ride 2 Rosemary’s Facebook page at facebook.com/Ride2Rosemary.
The article Ride 2 Rosemary raises funds to fight cancer, with the their latest tour stop Andalusia was first published in The Andalusia Star-News.
