Annual Fenner Ride offers 18-, 42-, 62- and 100-mile bicycle distances

It was a clear Sunday morning in the summer of 1998. Temperatures were expected to reach one degree shy of triple digits, but that didn’t stop District 1 Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Fenner McConnell doing what he loved most — riding his bike on the Bob Sikes Bridge. An avid runner and cyclist, McConnell had also competed in the Firecracker 5K and finished second in his age group.

But just before 11 a.m. on that fateful day, tragedy struck. A vehicle drove into the bike lane and struck McConnell from behind, killing him instantly.

In the years since, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Florida and the West Florida Wheelmen Bicycle Club have worked to make sure McConnell’s memory still lives on, hosting the annual Fenner Ride in honor of Fenner McConnell and Matt Wantz on the trails of the Blackwater Forest in Milton.

“We’ve been doing the Fenner Ride for many years now, and there’s lots of history to it,” Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Florida President & CEO Paula Shell said. “A few years after the Wheelmen started his event in his memory, another member, Matt Wantz, who worked at a local cycling shop, was shot and killed by a disgruntled customer. So even though we shortened the name to the Fenner Ride, the event is to honor both of those members.”

The 2023 Fenner Ride is set for 7:30 a.m. Oct. 28 at the Clyde L. Gracey Community Center, located at 5629 Byrom St. in Milton.

According to Shell, the Fenner Ride is considered a Century Ride, meaning that riders can choose to do 18, 42, 62, or even 100 miles.

“We kind of do a staggered start,” Shell said. “So those riding 100 miles get to leave first and then like 10 minutes later, those that ride 60 get to leave next. And 40 leave 10 minutes later and then kind of do it that way so there’s not a lot of congestion.”

Fenner explains that for the first eight miles, the cyclists are on the Blackwater Heritage Trail.

“The Blackwater Heritage Trail runs from downtown Milton all the way out to eight or so miles until they hop off on highways,” Shell said. “And then they're on Munson Highway, probably about five miles. And then they hop off the side roads and then it takes them back through the Blackwater forest.”

If riding a bike for 100 miles sounds a bit intimidating, there’s no need to worry.

“It’s not a timed event or anything like that,” Shell said. “Of course, cyclists may finish quickly, but out of all the routes, the 18-mile one is the most family friendly. You don’t get off onto the busy road like the others, and there are plenty of rest stops.”

Shell explains further that it doesn’t matter how far you go, but that you get out and ride for a good cause.

“It’s fun,” Shell said. “If you like to ride bikes to bring out your family and if you don't make it the full 18, you go out as far as you can and turn around and come back.”

To this day, McConnell’s daughters, son-in-law, and grandchildren help out at the event.

“We've become really good friends with the family and cycling is very near and dear, I think, to this community,” Shell said. “And you know, the West Florida Wheelmen are also just really focused on the safety of our cyclists out there and using this event as a way to give back to local nonprofits.”

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Florida’s sprawling chapter serves five counties −Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, Walton and Bay counties. To date, there are still 100 kids on the list who are waiting for a Big Brother.

“The need is always there,” Shell said. “What it comes down to is we want to motivate them to be good, productive community citizens. So share the time you already have with a little. It takes little to be big.”

For more information, call 850-433-5437 or visit https://www.bbbsnwfl.org/events/fenner-ride/

This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Fenner Ride 2023 offers 18-, 42-, 62- and 100-mile bicycle treks