COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) - Governor Mark Sanford will be back on his bicycle next month, encouraging South Carolinians to exercise.

Sanford rode from Spartanburg to Charleston last year, over the space of three weekends.

This time, he plans a 60-mile ride from Aiken to Columbia on October Ninth.

The governor is offering free lunch at the Governor's Mansion for everyone who completes the ride. It won't be barbecue or fried chicken.

Gubernatorial spokesman Joel Sawyer says the meal will be a healthy one.

John Green with the Cycle Center says the 60-mile ride won't be hard for avid cyclists. Those who can keep up with the main group will have a police escort.

Only one person was slightly injured last year, when a rider fell crossing railroad tracks.
     
(Copyright 2005 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)