Pat Fatmucket Ride set for May 12 at Lake

With the goal of helping Columbus County residents improve their fitness year-round, the Take the Lake committee is offering a separate bike ride May 12 that may prove even more popular than the “Bike & Hike” on Labor Day weekend.

That would make for an exciting event, as more than 500 people rode around Lake Waccamaw last Labor Day weekend, “biking” on the paved roads, 

and “hiking” along the wooded trail. The Pat Fatmucket Bike Ride route should please those who claim to “hate the hike” part of the Bike & Hike, as it will be a continuous ride on paved roads only, with no hiking required.

Participants will start at Elizabeth Brinkley Park off Sam Potts Highway, and will ride along the eastern shore of the lake to the end of Bella Coola Road. 

They will then turn around and ride around the lake to the dam, where they will turn around again and ride back to Elizabeth Brinkley Park. 

The full route is 22 miles long, and those who wish to may simply end their ride after the first “leg,” for an eight-mile route. 

Most participants will not wear numbered bibs, but bibs will be available for the few who would like to challenge themselves, and precise times will be kept for the first finishers of the 22-mile route. 

Organizers are planning fun “end of the road” rituals to reward participants when they reach the turnarounds at the ends of Bella Coola and Waccamaw Shores roads. 

They also have in mind a fun finish tradition that should have children and adults looking forward to their next ride.

While Take the Lake participants have always “biked & hiked” for free, adult Pat Fatmucket Ride cyclists will donate $7 and children $3 to help pay for event expenses. 

Remaining proceeds will go to a fund to explore trail and bridge opportunities at the state park.

Pat Fatmucket is a happy clam, and is happy to be the official mascot of the Pat Fatmucket Bike Ride. He or she (we’re not sure which) is a bivalve who loves bicycles!

The Waccamaw fatmucket is found only in Lake Waccamaw, making Pat a natural spokesmussel for this event, which is also found only around Lake Waccamaw. 

Whiteville High School senior Krystal Hawkins accepted the challenge of rendering Pat’s character in caricature, creating Pat for event banners, promotional materials and t-shirts.

An essential part of the fundraiser, t-shirts will be on sale at the event, which will begin at 8:30 a.m. 

Registration will start at 8 a.m., and volunteers are needed. More information can be found at Takethelake.org.