Bicyclists from across New England pedaled through the Tri-Town on Sunday, Oct. 1 as a part of the Buzzards Bay Watershed Ride.

Hosted by the Buzzards Bay Coalition, the annual ride saw 390 bicyclists raise over $265,000 to help protect the Buzzards Bay Watershed.

Participants chose from 100, 75 or 35-mile course lengths that led them past coastal farmlands, beaches, cranberry bogs, and harbors between Rhode Island and Upper Cape Cod.

“I’ve always wanted to join the Watershed Ride and it finally came together for me last year,” said Mattapoisett resident Jennifer Wong. “The whole event was exceptionally well done. I simply had to ride again this year.”

This year’s riders were the first to pedal down the Mattapoisett Rail Trail’s Shining Tides Mile, which was opened earlier this year.

Riders from all three courses were met by crowds at the finish line in Woods Hole

“I really support what the Coalition does,” said Julian Race of Dartmouth. “Especially the preservation of open space. It’s amazing to ride through our beautiful region and know that they are actively working to protect it.”

The top fundraisers were Drew Dimmick of North Falmouth, who raised a total of $12,200, Chip Johns of Mattapoisett, who raised a total of $11,505, followed by Ken Cheitlin of Pocassett, who raised a total of $6,445.

The top fundraising team was the Marion-based Sippican Sailors, whose total donations of $30,275 will be matched by a group of anonymous donors to benefit the Buzzards Bay Coalition’s research, outdoor exploration, advocacy and protection efforts.

The 28-member Sippican Sailors also brought in the most funds during the 2022 ride. 

Donations toward the Buzzards Bay Watershed Ride are being accepted until Sunday, Oct. 15, and can be made at savebuzzardsbay.org/ride. The 2024 Watershed Ride will take place on October 6. Thank you to event sponsor Demakis Family Real Estate.

The Buzzards Bay Watershed Ride is one of two signature outdoor fundraising events hosted by the Coalition. The other is the Buzzards Bay Swim, a scenic 1.2-mile point-to-point open water swim from New Bedford to Fairhaven set for June 22, 2024. For more information, please contact the Coalition at events@savebuzzardsbay.org or (508) 999-6363.