Team Loblolly Cycling Team: Saving The Planet …One Ride At A Time
By Elodie Madewell, Photography By Savannah Dean
As a diverse group of cyclists, Team Loblolly Cycling Team trains with roadbikes, cyclocross, and mountain bikes. “We like to have fun,” says founder Adam McAnulty “as my brother always says, ‘It doesn’t matter how you ride, as long as you do!’”
Adam McAnulty, cyclist since 2006, officially called Team Loblolly to life in January 2014. He became serious about racing when he moved to Orlando in 2012 and started working in a bike shop. “The racing scene is so large in Central Florida. When I moved to Panama City, racing only consisted of ‘Alley Cats’.” Alley Cats are unsanctioned races that are much like a treasure hunt. Soon after moving to Panama City in 2013, Adam recognized it was time to create an official racing team and he derived the name “Loblolly” is from the ubiquitous pine tree species in the southeast, the loblolly pine. The team’s racing uniforms, in short, “kits,” bear the symbol of pinecones and an ax, representing creation and growth while the ax is the agent of transformation.
Whether it is participating in a sanctioned charitable cross-country ride, racing, bringing awareness to a growing sport, or just being involved in a healthy outdoors activity that doesn’t pollute the environment, you will see this team and their friends out on the roads training and, yes, making their humble contribution to the planet.
In January, Team Loblolly, represented by Adam McAnulty, Ethan Smith, Stephen Sims, Cruz Mond and Minh Nguyen, set out to ‘Ride Across Florida’ from Tallahassee to Daytona Beach. Joe Fritz drove along as their backup support. The team organized the event as a fundraiser for Project Chiapas, an initiative to provide clean water to a rural community in Mexico. They trained regularly to tackle the 250+ mile bike ride but, on the very first night of their three-day ride, a cold front moved in and turned an already difficult ride into a grueling test against their personal endurance capabilities. A chilling rain stifled the first leg of the trip from the State Capital. 102 miles and five hours later, they arrived in Cross City and temperatures were dropping. The next morning, as they ate their pre-ride oatmeal, the weather forecast sank in: it was only 29 degrees Fahrenheit and would not get any warmer throughout the day. None of the team members had clothing appropriate for the cold weather and they still had two days in the saddle and 165 miles to go. Fighting through the cold to reach Daytona, sometimes forced to stop to warm up in Joe’s car, Team Loblolly finished their charitable ride as scheduled.
This wasn’t the first or the last time the team would pull together to finish a race or a ride. “Our coach, Joe Fritz kept us going,” says Cruz. Tested beyond his limits, Joe is a cycling veteran. He completed the ‘Race Across America’ (RAAM) in 2012, raising money for Guiding Eyes for the Blind, a charitable organization that trains service dogs. RAAM is “one of the most respected and longest running ultra-endurance events in the world,” according to the organizer’s website. Starting in Oceanside, California, Joe’s team consisted of four team members who pushed on for nine days to Annapolis, Maryland, a little more than 3,000 miles. With very little sleep, not only did they finish but Joe also took first place in the 60-64 age group. He has completed multiple races throughout the years. Also known as JoJo, the Godfather, and the Saint to the team, he is not only the team’s coach but their mentor. The team admires his grace, dedication, and social awareness.
Whether racing or training, they stick together to become one in purpose and heart. Cruz Mond’s borrowed motto, “Till All are One!” means just that – overcoming the obstacles together to reach their goals.
Just as in any sport there is a somber side and the team has set out to bring awareness to cycling fatalities. Shockingly, Florida has the highest number of cycling fatalities in the country. To honor those in Bay County who have been injured or killed by motorists while riding their bikes, Joe organized the first annual ‘Ride of Silence’ in Bay County in May of this year. Fifty-seven riders participated, including policemen who ride their bikes in their line of duty.
Florida’s roads are to be shared between motorists and cyclists alike. As a rule, cyclists should be passed with a minimum of three feet of space. But as Joe points out, “The saying goes, if you ride long enough, you will eventually have something thrown at you, be yelled at, cussed upon, ran off the road or eventually be hit by a motorist.”
Team racer Ethan Smith has been hit four times. In one of the incidents, Ethan was given a ticket because he was not carrying a driver’s license (and yes, he had to appear in court to have the judge officially rule that people on bikes do not need to carry a driver’s license). Joe fully recognizes that cyclists might not obey all the road rules all the time but they are certainly at a disadvantage to motorists at all times.
When asked if they could say something to motorists, Team Loblolly responded, “Be patient, take a breath, cyclists won’t make any sudden movements (as the rear person in the ride has already signaled ahead that a car has approached), and pass when safe. The 15 seconds a motorist may wait to pass is a huge contribution to supporting local riders and their mission.”
There are some requirements to be a part of the team but anyone is invited to ride with them during training. Known as “friends of the team,” cyclists may join Team Loblolly’s training rides on Tuesday and Thursday at 5:30 p.m. for about an hour, meeting at Bay Cycle & Fitness, 3611 W Hwy 98 in Panama City. Unless experienced, be cautious and attentive, and always wear a helmet. ’The Cove route’ is considered technical with corners and intervals of speed bursts. Other rides include the Blue Springs starting at the Bailey Bridge, Pine Log, Long Leaf Trail, and the Conservation Park. Check out PC Tri & Cycling Group on Facebook for rides or go to loblollycycling.com for more information and team paraphernalia.
What’s coming up? The Pensacola Cycling Classic from September 10 to 11 – three stages over two days of intense racing. The team always welcomes sponsors to help with donations or even backup support.
There are five categories in amateur racing, or CATs, 1 to 5. CAT 1 for pros, and CAT 5 for beginners. Team Loblolly rides from CAT 3 to 5, depending on the discipline of racing. They participate mainly in the Southeast in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, and Louisiana.
Team Loblolly plans to repeat “Ride Across Florida” as a fundraiser in 2017, with more riders and statewide awareness.
The team is currently sponsored and extends thanks to local businesses Amavida Coffee and Tea, Mosey’s, Massageology by JoJo, and national brands Folly, RotheraCycling, Handup Gloves, Bison Coolers, and Challenge Tires.
