Apr. 12—Since the beginning of the Redbud Ride in 2008, Rodney Henrickson has been a familiar face.
Hendrickson began cycling in 2002, and was co-executive director of the London-Laurel County Tourism Commission until his retirement three years ago. He became involved as a cyclist with the first ride and has participated in the organization of the event as well as taking part as a cyclist.
"I rode the first year when there were only 26 riders," Hendrickson said. "It was pretty humble in the first years — the rest stops were almost non-existent. We stopped at Crossroads and there was no one there. There was a table with peanut butter, bread and Gatorade. At McWhorter, there was no food. Keith Cottongim went to a store and got peanut butter, bread and drinks."
Since that time, Hendrickson has participated in all future Redbud Rides except for the past two years. But he reflects on the growing success of the event — most of which has been achieved by marketing the scenic ride through Laurel, Jackson and Rockcastle counties.
The Redbud Ride came about through the planning of David Sutton and David Grigsby, who owned a bike shop on Main Street. In 2009, there were 53 participants and 133 in 2010.
In 2010, Hendrickson became the director of the Redbud Ride and wanted to promote it to other areas.
"Alice (wife) and I went to a ride in Michigan and I thought why not promote the Redbud Ride," he said. "London Downtown was sponsoring the event and they thought about dropping it. So Alice, myself and Mackey and Jane Williams went before the board and told them if they would let us promote it, we'd get 100 people or we'd agree to drop it."
That promise and promotion paid off well — there were 310 participants that year in 2011.
"I emailed bike clubs and bike shops," he said. "The fourth year we had almost 700 people. And the community came together and made sure it was a 'go'."
Then Hendrickson teamed with Pam Thomas to make the Redbud Ride part of the Kentucky Century Challenge. That brought in even more cyclists, with the April ride in London being the first of the century rides of each season. Cyclists must participate in four century rides to earn special recognition.
"It continued to grow, with the biggest ever bringing in over 1,400 people. I've met people from Utah, Ontario, California, and other states — one year a guy from Ireland came," he said.
According to London Downtown Executive Director Julie Rea, this year's event has 900 registered cyclists with the possibility of 200 more registering on the day of the ride. Weather permitting, that number could increase by 200 more. London Downtown is the organization responsible for the creation and continuation of the Redbud Ride.