History Teacher does 24-Hour Bike Ride for West Lauderdale High School

Imagine riding a bike for a full 24 hours. Well, that’s exactly what one teacher is doing at West Lauderdale High school. We learn just what he is riding for.

A history Teacher from West Lauderdale High School is biking a full 24 hours around the school for a fundraiser for the band and football team. With rain in the forecast and temperatures dropping things could get a little more difficult.

Band student Emily Snodgress had this to say,” I’m really grateful for Mr. Abdella for doing this for the band he is doing a 24-hour bike ride and people have pledged a certain amount of money per mile that he rides and that’s raising money for us and it’s a great thing for him to do.”

History Teacher Ed Abdella

Ed Abdella has a crew on standby to take care of any of his needs. We learn from one of his crew means what all that consists of.

Clint Blackwell said, “We’re doing today is helping ed as support crew to get through the 24 hours that he's riding around the school here. Ed's raising money. And basically, while he's riding as he comes by us, if he has any need or, for instance, a refill on certain things for his drinks, changing the formula that he's using for his supplements, we handle that as he's out on lapse.

Known as an avid biker in the community and an endurance rider this is familiar territory for Mr. Abdella but Blackwell says they are trying to figure out just how many miles he will be doing.

“We're still working on our formula, but I think we'll probably see him hit somewhere around 320, maybe 340 miles. He may surprise us and do more than that, but we're hoping to see that kind of mileage,” said Blackwell

With rain in the forecast for later today and tonight’s freeze warning, Blackwell says they are prepared for whatever weather may occur.

“He's got some wet weather gear and some warmer clothes to ride in. And also, we've got a change of tires we can put on to give them some better traction in the rain, but it's going to persevere through it. He's going to push through and still get his 24 hours,” said Blackwell.

Students can be seen cheering him on as well as holding up signs to let cars know to slow down. He began his bike ride at 8 am this morning and has been going since. If you would like to take part in the fundraiser contact West Lauderdale High School.