The last great bike ride I took - if you don't count pedaling from one end of Kiawah Island to the other a couple of times - was a two-day, 150-mile ride from Lugoff to North Myrtle Beach.

That was a few years ago, when I was still young and foolish.

This past year, I hoped to join Gov. Mark Sanford on one leg of his ride-for-health from the mountains to the beach, but my schedule never seemed to match his.

Sorry, Guv. But maybe you'd like to try a new challenge, one that is doable by everyone who recognizes, as you do, the health benefits of pedaling a bicycle.

The Myrtle Beach Marathon is adding a Sunday bicycle ride to its busy itinerary on the weekend of Feb. 18-20.

It's sponsored by the Myrtle Beach Pelicans and carries a captivating moniker, "The Pelican Pedal Pusher Bicycle Ride."

Shaun Walsh, president of the 8-year-old Myrtle Beach Marathon, said the additional event will give marathoners a reason to stay around another day.

"Past marathon participants have commented how much they like visiting Myrtle Beach with family and friends," he said.

"Adding bicycle rides on the day after the marathon will not only bring additional visitors to Myrtle Beach but will give participants an additional healthy activity."

The marathon is scheduled for Feb. 19; the bike ride will follow on Feb. 20.

The Grand Strand Cycling Association will help organize the ride.

Like the marathon, the bike ride will start and end at Coastal Federal Field. Bicyclists can choose how far they want to ride.

Darla Domke-Damonte of the association said riders could choose between "a gentle 10-mile ride that stays in central Myrtle Beach, a lengthier 30-mile ride that ventured down into Surfside Beach or a challenging metric century [62.4-mile] ride that winds you through the west side of the Intracoastal Waterway."

Walsh said the rides will use common routes as much as possible.

Although details are incomplete, he said the ride would include Robert M. Grissom Parkway, Carolina Forest Boulevard, River Oaks Drive, S.C. 544 and Socastee Boulevard (S.C. 707).

A part of the $20 entry fee will be donated to the Horry County disabilities and special needs program.

By the way, Governor, you can register at http://www.mbmarathon.com/. For information, call 333-1566.

ONLINE | For past columns, go to the Bestler page at MyrtleBeachOnline.com.