The Sweet Olive Farm Animal Rescue (SOFAR) held its inaugural bike race, “Ride SOFAR,” on Saturday to raise awareness and funds for the organization that rescues all types of farm animals.
More than 100 registered riders and 25 volunteers participated in bike rides that began at 880 Parkview Road in Winterville and diverted into three routes.
The first route, a 10K for kids, ended near Winterville Road. The second was a 20-mile trail that went into Oglethorpe County. And the third, a 50-mile route, was for the most extreme bike-riding aficionados.
“Just based on the amount of fun everybody had, it couldn’t have gone better. It was so awesome,” said farm CEO Kat Howkins, who didn’t have official numbers as to how much was raised. “No matter how much we raised, we feel like it was a huge success.”
Participants enjoyed post-ride festivities including T-shirts, music and other prizes, as well as catering from Maepole, a vegan/gluten-free restaurant with locations in Athens and Atlanta.
Sweet Olive Farm Animal Rescue opened in 2010 and earned its nonprofit status in 2014. It has grown in popularity and is home to approximately 200 rescue animals including pigs, llamas, cows, alpacas, and other farm animals.
“I call it the isle of the misfits,” said Jennifer Davidson, a volunteer who cares for the animals every Sunday.
Howkins also said the farm has held a handful of fundraisers that also garnered a large turnout. This time, the organization’s goal was to provide a sense of community, as well as care for unwanted or injured animals.