Lets Ride 

On Sat. Mar. 13 some of the Gulf Shores Middle School students participated in the 9th Annual Bike-A-Thon. There were 36 students and about10 support parents. Every year 7^th grade math teacher, Mr. Roger Reetz holds this event to raise money for his class, while at the same time showing his students how much fun they can still have on their bikes.

All money earned will go to purchase new technology and supplies for Mr. Reetz ‘s math classes and the school. Students earned awards based on how much money they raised. Along with all the awards at different levels, Mr. Reetz gave away one "Specialized" Mountain Bike to the student who raised the most money. The winner of the bike was Mckenzie King.  It took a lot of effort and support for the students to ride 20 miles. After about 5 miles the students finally got to the nasty, dirty mud hole. Despite their best efforts, nobody had the strength or skill to get through the two foot deep mud bog. Mr. Reetz even fell in this year, his first time ever to take the plunge. 

Makenzie King said, "It was very fun hanging out with my friends and it took a lot of effort to ride."  Jr. Yang said, "It was very muddy and I got thrown in the mud a few times." Very few students had to get picked up in the meat wagon. The meat wagon is for holding supplies or carring riders and bikes that can't make it back. Every 20 to 25 minutes or so Mr. Reetz would stop and take count to see everybody was there and didn't get injured. It was cold but it got warmer throughout the day and the wind was very strong so it made it tough to ride in. We raised over $3000 for Mr. Reetz class. Students keep saying "I can't wait till the 10th annual Fall Bike-A-Thon."

A special thank you goes to the Orange Beach Fire department for letting two firemen come out and help,  the Orange Police department for hosting lunch for the students, and the GSMS PTSO for providing the food for lunch.

By: Abby Grimes 7th grade

2010 Bike-a-Thon rider, Faith Freeman riding her bike through the Orange Beach mud whole.
Photo By: Roger Reetz


2010 Bike-a-Thon riders; Samantha Goodsell, Jillian Chance and Tristan Hazebrook
as they are coming back from the mud whole.
Photo By: Roger Reetz


2010 Bike-a-Thon riders