ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Carolina Brotherhood, a nonprofit organization that offers financial and emotional support to the families of killed or wounded North Carolina and South Carolina emergency responders, will pass through Buncombe County tomorrow on their annual charity bike ride.
Over a dozen riders embarked on the 442.3 mile journey, which started in Saluda, South Carolina on Tuesday, June 23, and will conclude in Charlotte, N.C., on Saturday, June 27.
According to the Carolina Brotherhood website, the route varies annually “in order to meet the families and friends of our fallen heroes. This time with families and friends allows us to learn about their loved one, hear their stories and get to know the fallen heroes on a personal level. These personal stories ensure that we remember and never forget.”
As of Thursday, June 25, the fundraiser has raised over $16,500 out of an $18,000 goal.
The route
The Carolina Brotherhood riders will be journeying five days in total, with rest stops in different towns across N.C. and South Carolina. The route included:
- Day 0: Charlotte Fire Training Academy
- Day 1: Saluda, South Carolina, to Glendale, South Carolina, 80.9 miles
- Day 2: Glendale, South Carolina, to Brevard, N.C., 80 miles
- Day 3: Brevard, N.C., to Franklin, N.C., 65.6 miles
- Day 4: Franklin, N.C., to Fairview, N.C., 92.8 miles
- Day 5: Fairview, N.C., to Charlotte, N.C., 123 miles
The ride has not been without its setbacks. In a 6:37 a.m. Facebook post on Wednesday, June 24, the Carolina Brotherhood reported that four Carolina Brotherhood bicycles had been stolen during the group’s stay in Glendale, S.C.
Nonetheless, the riders were undeterred.
“This is certainly a setback, but it will not stop the Brotherhood. The mission is bigger than us. We ride to honor our fallen brothers and sisters and support the families and communities impacted by line-of-duty deaths,” the organization wrote. “No matter the obstacle, we will continue forward and complete this ride with the same purpose and determination that brought us here.”
Impact on area traffic
In a Facebook post at 10 a.m., Thursday, June 25, the Asheville Fire Department issued a warning that the Carolina Brotherhood cyclists could impact local traffic.
According to the post, the riders will enter Buncombe County around 2 p.m. at Enka-Candler Fire Station 10.
Afterward, the riders will pass Enka Intermediate School around 3:15-3:30 p.m., Asheville Fire Station 10 around 4-4:20 p.m. and Asheville Fire Station 9 around 4:40-4:50 p.m., concluding around 5:30 p.m. at Fairview Volunteer Fire Department, 1586 Charlotte Hwy., Fairview, N.C.
“All times are approximate estimates; drivers, please stay alert,” AFD wrote.
List of honorees
There are 26 honorees commemorated by this year’s ride.
- Probationary FF Landon Bodie, Saluda County Fire Service
- Battalion Chief John Bowen, Fayetteville Fire Department
- Firefighter Robert Earl Brown, Sr., Glendale Fire Department
- Louis Dunston, Youngsville Fire Department
- Investigator William Elliott, N.C. Department of Adult Correction
- Police Officer Joshua Eyer, Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Dept.
- Battalion Chief Tony Ray Garrison, Fairview Volunteer Fire Department
- Firefighter Johnny Alvin Goines, Verona Volunteer Fire Department
- Police Officer Michael Horan, Greensboro Police Department
- Deputy Sheriff Christopher Johnson, Harnett County Sheriff’s Office
- K9 Bumi, Richland County Sheriff’s Department
- K9 Coba, South Carolina Law Enforcement
- K9 Draco, Mount Airy Police Department
- K9 Kodak, Richland County Sheriff’s Department
- K9 Mikka, Lee County Sheriff’s Office
- K9 Wick, Richland County Sheriff’s Department
- Court Officer Charles James Lau, Macon County Sheriff’s Office
- Asst. Chief Thomas M. Lee, Sr., Kill Devil Hills Fire Department
- Ronnie Burren Metcalf, Lexington Fire Department
- Captain Courtney Padgett, New Hanover County Fire Rescue
- Captain Thomas Patterson, Louisburg Fire Department
- Investigator Samual Poloche, N.C. Department of Adult Correction
- Major Michelle Lynn Quintero, Madison County Sheriff’s Office
- Chief Chad Satcher, Saluda County Fire Service
- Engineer Michael Vinson, Clinton Fire Department
- Deputy U.S. Marshal Thomas Weeks, U.S. Dept. of Justice, U.S. Marshals
