Pedaling for Peanuts Race

I didn't think I was going to make it, however a last minute flight into ILM at midnight the night before, allowed me to make it to the first Pedaling for Peanuts race. Pedaling for Peanuts was a mountain bike race that was used to race money for the Full Belly Project started by a friend of mine, Jock Brandis. I've known Jock for about ten years, and have always enjoyed listening to him tell me about his adventures into parts of Africa and the wonderful things he has done there. The one thing that was probably the most interesting, was hen he told me about his peanut sheller he invented, and how it would help these people in other countries.

One day while working on the Blue Clay mountain bike trails, a guy I ride with occasionally told me that he wanted to hold a race to support Jock's fully belly project. Neither of us knew the other knew Jock, so I was very excited that Austin "Sir Peanuts" wanted to do this.

In a very short time, Austin teamed up with Steve from the Cape Fear Cyclists, and with some other great volunteers, they put on a great race/event. I talked with Austin briefly, and he hopes this will become an annual race to raise money for this cause.

If you haven't heard of Jock Brandis or the Full Belly Project, please take the time to google either, or follow the links above and check it out. Here are some pictures from the event....







I just want to add a huge thanks to all of the sponsors, volunteers, racers, and people that came out to support the race. Hope to see each of you next year, and make sure to bring a friend!