WATER CYCLE

Martin Dam to host long-distance gravel ride this month

STORY BY BETSY ILER

The ride will traverse the area's beautiful countryside on mostly gravel roads

Martin Dam this month will host the inaugural Water Cycle and Dam Jam to benefit drinking water and irrigation projects in Guatemala and Bolivia by the Auburn University Chapter of Engineers Without Borders USA, said Alabama Power’s Tallapoosa River manager, Chris Goodman. The bike ride on March 26 will feature 30-mile and 60-mile routes across gravel roads through Alabama’s beautiful rural countryside.

Limited to 100 cyclists in this inaugural event, the ride will be fully supportive and will begin and end at Martin Dam on Lake Martin with a post-ride meal and live music at the Dam Jam. Three bands will play at the event, including Dr. Funchess and the Hydroponic Collards, an Americana group made up of Auburn University professors. Nashville singer/songwriter Jason Broyles will perform as well.

The post-ride meal will include made-to-order tacos by Durango Tacos of Auburn.

The entry fee for riders is $60. Nonriders can join the fun for the postride meal and Dam Jam at $15 each. Register for rider and non-rider admission at wp.auburn.edu/ewb.

The ride will help the Auburn University EWB chapter further its mission to help communities in Guatemala and Bolivia meet basic needs through engineering projects. Their current projects will supply drinking water and irrigation to remote areas of Guatemala and Bolivia, said co-mentor of the EWB Auburn Chapter, Christian Brodbeck.

“One of our projects right now is in Guatemala. We are developing a spring, putting in a transmission line and designing and building a water tank for about 250 people. These households do not have access to water, so they currently have to purchase water, which uses up about 20 percent of their resources,” explained Brodbeck, an avid cyclist. “The other project is in Bolivia where we are installing a water transmission system with the goal of irrigation, so the community can grow two or three crops per year instead of just one during the rainy season. That would help them increase the food supply.”

Brodbeck said this month’s Water Cycle event is a great fit for the chapter’s mission because bike riding is a lot like water.

“It’s rushing. You’re always moving, and there are moments of stillness. We don’t realize how important it is until we’re in a situation where we lack water,” he explained.

The idea for the event was the brainchild of Goodman and Brodbeck, who frequently enter gravel rides together.

“These gravel rides we go to were always selling out, and we thought we could put on our own ride as a fundraiser for EWB,” Brodbeck said.

The 60-mile riders will leave the east bank of the dam at 8 a.m. and travel Overlook Drive to Pineforest Drive and take Lovelady Road to Obed Loop in the Beulah community. They will cover Duck Creek Road, StillWaters Highway, Churchill Road and Sycamore Creek Road, continuing to Hayes Mill Road, turning onto Moss Flat Road and then county roads 217 and 66 to McRitchie Mill and back. The 30-mile route will leave from the dam an hour later and travel to the turnoff from Sycamore Road to Hayes Mill Road before returning to the dam for the post-ride party. Riders should be able to finish the 30-mile route in under two-and-a-half hours. The 60-mile riders should finish within five hours.

Cash and check donations will be accepted at the event as well, or donors are invited to donate online. Event T-shirts will be available for sale as the supply lasts. Visit wp.auburn.edu/ewb for more information.