Bicycle enthusiasts complete annual ride to Sea Isle
Posted by Jersey Shore Admin at 6/13/2007 9:10 AM and is filed under The Upper Twp. Gazette,The Ocean City Gazette 
Bicycle enthusiasts complete annual ride to Sea Isle
SEA ISLE CITY – On Saturday, June 2, 51 bicyclists from the Overbrook Bike-Riding Association (OBA) once again rode from the Tacony Palmyra Bridge to Sea Isle City, an annual ride that is done strictly in the name of fun. Lead by Francis Dolan, a social worker from East Falls, Philadelphia, each year the OBA meet at the edge of the Delaware River and begin their trip by heading south on route 73. From there they continue down routes 322, 50 and 9, and then finally cross the Sea Isle City causeway where a police escort is waiting to lead them over the bridge and to the promenade. Once ocean side, the group dismount their bicycles and begin a celebration that will continue into the evening at Dolan’s home in Sea Isle City.Begun in 1966 by a small group of friends who attempted the journey simply to see how long it would take, the event has grown into a passion for the group. In 42 years, the OBA has never missed completing the76-mile annual journey, even one year when the weather was so bad that only one cyclist made the trip.
This year’s group, the largest ever, consisted of riders ranging in age from 14 to 64 years old and included cyclists from Tennessee, Georgia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Washington, D.C. Among the 2007 riders was Dr. Forrest Lang, of Tennessee, who along with Dolan has completed the ride 39 times, more than any other rider in their club. Additionally, the group’s chaplain, Rev. Fr. Bernie Farley, of Philadelphia, also made the trek.
This year one of OBA’s members was noticeably missing from the pack of cyclists. Joe Gavin, who was one of the group’s earliest members, died of cancer in December 2006 after being diagnosed with the disease in February of that same year. However, cancer could stop him from peddling the entire distance last summer, and in honor of his memory, three of his sons completed the ride this year. Others in the group wore green T-shirts printed with the words "My Favorite Day of the Year," a phrase that Gavin often used to describe how he felt about the annual bike ride and the people with whom he peddled.
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