‘Avengers’ support bay  for Watershed Ride

Oct 2, 2016

For Onset’s Marlissa Briggett, participating in the Buzzards Bay Watershed Ride was a way to give back to an organization that has done so much for the coastline she loves.

“Wicket’s Island is near and dear to my heart and I’m thrilled it will always remain a special place for the public to enjoy thanks to the Coalition,” said Briggett.

On Sunday, the Buzzards Bay Coalition held the 10th annual Buzzards Bay Watershed Ride where 150 cyclists pedaled across the South Coast to raise money for the nonprofit’s education and environmental initiatives.

Last year, the Coalition received funds at Wareham’s Town Meeting to help purchase Wicket’s Island as part of the group’s preservation efforts. In the spring, voters at Town Meeting approved a plan that will allow the Coalition to renovate the Onset Beach bathhouse where programs and events will be held.

“I’m looking forward to their efforts to restore the Onset bathhouse and to create a center to provide educational and enrichment activities. It seemed appropriate to thank them for this work,” said Briggett.

To support the Coalition, Briggett raised $400 individually. Her team, the South Coast Almanac Avengers, raised $3,665. Overall, riders raised more than $120,000.

Briggett said she and her teammates were are all first time participants in the ride. The team members, who are all employees at South Coast Almanac Magazine, wore superhero masks for the ride.

“We had a lot of fun dressing up as superheroes, ready to avenge Buzzards Bay sea life,” she said.

Briggett said half the team participated in the 100-mile route and the rest rode the 75-mile route.

She said the ride went well, except for one team member who dealt with a flat tire, bee sting and broken spoke. But the Coalition’s support team kept him on the road.

“It was an incredibly well-run and well-supported event,” she said. “I asked [the rider] ‘You probably don’t want to do this ride again, huh?’” and he said — ‘No, I definitely want to do it again!’

Donations will are still being accepted until Oct. 16. For more information, visit www.support.savebuzzardsbay.org.