Is there a better way to celebrate National Bike Month in May than the 24th annual Lock to Lock Ride? While this ride will be just like the previous rides in many respects, the event will include a special tribute before the pedaling begins this year. Wheel Movement of the CSRA, a nonprofit organization that supports the local cycling community, will honor the late Andy Jordan, who passed away in October. He founded Andy Jordan’s Bicycle Warehouse and initiated the bike ride.

“He started the ride to show people what you can do with your bike locally and what we have to offer here. And it shows non-cyclists how many people do ride bikes in the area,” says his son, Drew Jordan, co-owner of Andy Jordan’s and coordinator of the ride. “It’s going to be an emotional day.”

Before the ride, Wheel Movement will dedicate a bike station, which will feature a plaque that honors Andy Jordan, at the canal headgates at Savannah Rapids Pavilion. The bike station will include air pumps and other bicycle service tools. 

“Andy was a vital part of cycling in the community. He remains with us in so many ways,” says Jim Ellington, Wheel Movement president. “We just felt like we wanted to do something in memory of Andy because he did so many things for those who enjoy cycling.”

The fact that the ride rolls on almost a quarter century after Andy Jordan founded it is a testament to his legacy as well. Each year more than 200 people participate in the ride, which begins at Savannah Rapids Pavilion. Cyclists can choose between two distances – 18.5 miles to the New Lock and Dam or a 37-mile round trip. Riders who choose the 18.5-mile option will need to arrange return transportation at the New Lock and Dam. 

The bike route follows flat, scenic terrain on hard-packed dirt and asphalt roads along the Augusta Canal. Fireside Outdoor Kitchens & Grills will prepare a meal at the New Lock and Dam, and some lucky riders can win door prizes there as well. Powerade and snacks will be available at rest stops along the way, and the ever-popular Sno-Kone machine will be set up at Augusta Commons for the return trip. Pre-registered riders will receive a T-shirt as well.

“It’s a good way to spend the day with your family. It’s a very family friendly ride, and it’s catered to recreational riders,” says Drew. “The ride back is very pretty because the sun is starting to drop a little bit.”

Cyclists must wear a helmet and have a bike that is in good working order. Hybrid/cross bikes, mountain bikes or comfort bikes are recommended. Riders also should bring water, additional snacks and a flat tire repair kit. Southern Off-Road Bicycle Association, or SORBA-CSRA, members will be available along the route to help riders if needed.

“We use all of the proceeds to improve cycling in some way,” Drew says. “We always try to put the money back into the community to make things better for local bike riders.”

If You Go:

What: Lock to Lock Ride 

When: Sunday, May 15; 12:30-1:30 p.m. sign in; 1:45 pre-ride briefing; ride starts at 2 p.m.

Where: Savannah Rapids Pavilion 

How Much: $25 if preregistered by 6 p.m. Thursday, May 12; $35 day of event 

More Info: (706) 724-2453 or andyjordans.com

Photography by Addie Strozier

It’s a paddle, a concert and a festival all in one. It’s the fifth annual Benderdinker.

Benderdinker is no “oar”-dinary event. The winning combination of a leisurely paddle on the Savannah River, plus good music, good food and a fun-filled festival, add up to a great time for all.

Faithful ’Dinkers are familiar with the itinerary.  For the uninitiated, the playlist goes something (well, actually a lot) like this – (a) enjoy a leisurely six-mile paddle on the Savannah River; (b) listen to awesome musicians play on pontoon boats and sample foods from local growers at stops along the route; (c) stick around for more music, food and lawn games at the post-paddle Riverfest.

“Benderdinker grows every year,” says Kristina Williams, who founded the event. “I just want people to have fun, get outdoors, enjoy each other’s company and enjoy the river.”

Paddlers can sample locally sourced food such as “branch mix” with Georgia peanuts, local pecans and Georgia blueberries; BBQ nacho shots and boiled or roasted peanuts. Water and sweet tea will be available as well.

For paddlers’ listening pleasure, country musicians Daniel Johnson, Me and Molly, Nick Brown and Jason White will pull double duty on water and on land. The Mason Jars, who have performed at Benderdinker in the past, will play at the festival only.

“We always have good musicians, but this year we have several Nashville recording artists,” Williams says.

Riverfest lawn games will include corn hole, giant tic tac toe, ladder ball, mini disc golf and bocce ball. If teamwork is more to your liking, then you can join a pickup sand volleyball game. Outdoor sports vendors will offer demos of their wares. Twisted Burrito will provide food at the festival, and thirsty festivalgoers – well, those who are at least 21 – can cool off with craft beer.

Proceeds from the event benefit Augusta Locally Grown and Benderdigger. Augusta Locally Grown gives residents the opportunity to purchase locally grown food at area farmers markets and from its online market. Benderdigger is a youth foodie program that teaches children how to grow, find, harvest and prepare healthy food.

Registration for the paddle is available online through Monday, April 25. Paddlers that prefer to do things the old-fashioned way (and avoid extra fees), can register in person at Escape Outdoors. Check-in will be held 5:30-7 p.m. Friday, April 29 and 8-10 a.m. Saturday, April 30.

If You  Go:

What: Benderdinker 

When: Saturday, April 30; paddle launches 10-11:30 a.m.; Riverfest noon-5 p.m.

Where: Riverside Park at Betty’s Branch, Evans

How Much: $35 per vessel in advance; $40 per vessel day of event. Cost to rent a kayak or canoe is not included. Food, beer and other beverages will be available for purchase at the festival.

More Info: benderdinker.com

An award-winning magician offers no illusions — wait, yes he does — about his entertaining style

Self-taught performer Adam Trent is not your stereotypical magician.

“I’ve always thought that magic should be entertaining first and tricky second. I don’t want people to remember just the ‘tricks,’ but also the laughs and the memories that were made,” he says.

His shows are part magic, part concert and part stand-up comedy, and he will appear in Evans on Saturday, April 16. The 17-year veteran of magic and stage performance blends dancing and singing to his original pop music with innovative stage illusions, wit and emotion. In the past year, he has performed more than 300 live shows in 19 countries at venues including cruise ships, colleges, comedy clubs, theaters and civic centers. He also has appeared on the Disney Channel in a feature performance. 

Trent is one of the youngest international award-winning magicians in history, and U.S. News & World Report named him one of “The 10 Most Influential Youths in the Nation.” 

Tickets can be purchased online at augustaamusements.com or by calling (706) 726-0366.

If You Go: 

What: The Futurist, Adam Trent 

When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, April 16 

Where: Jabez S. Hardin Performing Arts Center

How Much: $40

More Info: augustaamusements.com

Irish eyes and rock ’n’ roll fans will have plenty to smile about with these coming musical attractions

From Celtic music to rock ’n’ roll nostalgia, the Jabez will be jammin’ this month as Augusta Amusements presents its March lineup.

On Thursday, March 3, “Women of Ireland,” a 20-member touring company of Irish performers, will take the stage with other world-class musicians, singers and dancers. A guest of the Dublin Philharmonic Orchestra during a 12-week tour of North America in 2009, the group has toured the United States every year since. 

While fans of the Eagles still might be mourning the untimely death in January of founding member Glenn Frey, they can honor the late performer’s legacy when 7 Bridges presents “The Ultimate Eagles Experience” on Friday, March 4. The tribute band re-creates the experience of an Eagles concert from the band’s most prolific period. 

Music lovers can enjoy another blast from the past when the one-man show, “One Hit Wanderer,” written and performed by Sha Na Na co-founder Henry Gross, comes to Evans on Friday, March 18. The veteran singer, songwriter, recording artist, actor and comedian will take an autobiographical look back at the pursuit, realization and subsequent demise of his rock ’n’ roll dreams. 

The performances start at 7:30 p.m. at Jabez S. Hardin Performing Arts Center. Tickets, which are $37.50 for “Women of Ireland,” $35 for 7 Bridges and $43 for “One Hit Wanderer,” can be purchased online at www.augustaamusements.com or by calling (706) 726-0366.

Dog lovers and Paul McCartney fans will have lots to bark about with Augusta Amusements’ performances this month.

A dozen-plus dogs will have their day on Friday, February 12 when Johnny Peers and the Muttville Comix perform. Peers, who has appeared in Ringling Brothers & Barnum and Bailey Circus and on “Late Show With David Letterman,” will lead his kennel of canines through challenging and funny tricks in the slapstick comedy act.

The Muttville Comix debuted in 1980, and Peers, a graduate of Ringling Brothers’ Clown College, performs with many dogs that have been rescued from shelters or pounds. The show stars pooches such as Daphne, the world’s only skating-boarding basset hound; Squeaky, a ladder-climbing fox terrier; Mr. Pepe, who responds only to commands in Spanish; and Sir Winston, a pointer mix who only answers to “Sir.” Tickets are $29.50 for adults and $12.50 for children 12 and under.

In addition to reveling in the antics of talented hounds, people can reminisce about the 1970s in a tribute to Paul McCartney. 

On Friday, February 28, Dutch-born Yuri Pool will star in “The McCartney Years,” a note-for-note recreation of McCartney’s 1973 “Wings Over America” concert. Nothing is pre-recorded as every song is played live according to the standard set by Sir Paul himself in the early 1970s.

Pool is true to McCartney in his vocal styling and presentation on tracks such as “Live and Let Die,” “Let it Be,” “The Long and Winding Road” and “Jet.” Beatles promoter Sid Bernstein has praised the period-true, technically stunning, sonically explosive show as “the best on the scene today.” Tickets are $45.

Both performances begin at 7:30 p.m. at the Jabez S. Hardin Performing Arts Center in Evans. Reserved seats can be purchased online at www.augustaamusements.com or by calling (706) 726-0366.