Marion to Selma Bike Ride attracts tourists to learn Black Belt history

Early on the morning of Thursday, Feb. 20, 35 cyclists gathered at the Jimmy Lee Jackson memorial in Marion and headed to Selma for the Marion to Selma Commemorative Bike Ride.

The purpose of the ride was to commemorate the murder of Jimmy Lee Jackson in Marion, which is the event that led to the Civil Rights Movement.

Phillip Howard works for the Conservation Fund, which is one of the organizations that organized the ride. He said the Conservation Fund has been working in Perry, Dallas and Lowndes counties for the last two years.

The idea for the Marion to Selma ride was inspired by the Selma to Montgomery bike ride that happens each year. “It was a way to raise awareness of the bridge history Marion has to offer,” Howard explained. “And to get people to go to Marion to learn more.”

People from all over the country, from Pennsylvania, California, North Carolina, Georgia and other places, came to Marion to experience this part of the Black Belt.

John Bolding teaches mathematics and coaches track and volleyball at Francis Marion High School. He said he has learned a lot of civil right history, history he will take back to the kids he teaches.

“The majority of my kids are African American,” Bolding said. “They may not even know the history of Jimmy Lee Jackson and what led to the Selma to Montgomery March and Bloody Sunday.”

Raymond Banks of Birmingham said he was “expecting more hills” and that it was “kind of cold” when they started, but “it wasn’t as cold after you pedal for a while.” He said he was excited to be a part of the first Marion to Selma ride.

A nationally known cycling celebrity, Erick Cedeno, known as The Bicycle Nomad, was on the ride. He has made a name for himself by retracing historic routes and events on his bike

“It’s one thing to read about history, but it’s special when you are able to put yourself in the route that people took,” Cedeno said. He pointed out the importance of the Marion to Selma route, “which is the march that never happened” and history that is often forgotten.

Pam Swanner of Black Belt Adventures, which promotes tourism in Alabama’s Black Belt, said it was a great event attracting people from all over the country. “And it is a great opportunity for us to showcase what we have here in the Black Belt,” she said. “Hopefully they will all come back.”

Cedeno and most of the riders said they will be participating in the Selma to Montgomery bicycle ride Feb. 22. They all said they will be back next year for both the Marion to Selma ride and the Selma to Montgomery ride.

Howard said working with the Conservation Fund was the Black Belt Benefit group, city of Marion, city of Selma, Selma City Council, Lincoln Normal School and Zion Church.