The Old Howard 100 Bike Ride will allow participants the chance to ride through three Black Belt counties for a good cause.

The ride, now in its 13th year, will be held April 22. This year’s event is not a part of the Alabama Backroads Cycling Century Series, but organizers look forward to participating in the 2018 series.

The ride benefits Sowing Seeds of Hope, a partnership between Cooperative Baptist Fellowship and Perry County.  Sowing Seeds of Hope’s mission is to improve the quality of life and work in the county through better education opportunities, health care, housing and economic development.

Samford University began the Old Howard 100 Ride in 2005 and has served Perry County through year-round health programs led by students and faculty in the university’s nursing, pharmacy and exercise and sports medicine programs.

Thousands of dollars have been raised to support Sowing Seeds of Hope ministry in one of the state’s most impoverished counties.

Frances Ford, executive director of Sowing Seeds of Hope, uses the funds raised to fill a critical void in health-care distribution by providing medication or supplies to newly diagnosed patients.

Registration begins on site at 7:30 a.m.   The 100 mile riders will start their ride at 8:00 a.m.  Mass start for all other riders begins at 8:30 a.m.  Routes of 30, 45 and 75 miles are available to riders, but the 100-mile route showcases more of the region’s history.  Beginning and ending at Judson College in Marion, it takes you through Perry County, Hale County and Dallas County, traveling through the cities of Greensboro and Selma as well as the Perry Lakes wetlands region.

Each ride is fully supported.  That means support vehicles in case of emergencies, rest stops stocked with food and drinks.

A meal is served at the end of the ride in the cafeteria at Judson College.

Riders can go online to register at https://www.BikeReg.com/old-howard-100.