If you were wrestling with whether to bike with the governor on part of his cross-state ride, the success of the journey’s first leg should encourage you.

Cyclists who rode with Gov. Mark Sanford on Saturday said they hope more riders will show up for the May 15-16 sections of the Family Fitness Challenge from Columbia to Elloree and from Santee to North Charleston.

They said anybody who can ride a bike could participate in some way — the easy Family Fun Rides, the shorter sections of the cross-state ride or the full 50-mile trips each day.

Organizers pulled off a nearly flawless 70-mile trip from Croft State Natural Area to Little Mountain, unless rainy weather is considered a problem. Actually, organizers said the rain probably worked in their favor, discouraging all but the most dedicated cyclists to ride on the first day of a brand new event.

About 80 people joined Sanford, with a few dropping out and new folks joining in at each of three rest stops. Organizers were prepared to handle at least twice that many riders.

“I had a ball,” said John Davis, 40, a veteran distance rider from Irmo. “It was an excellent event, well-planned. The rest stops had everything a person needs to be refreshed and renourished.”

The governor’s office and several local bike clubs deployed chase vehicles to check on slow riders; few needed help. A Greenwood woman suffered a jammed shoulder after she slipped on a wet railroad track, and Sanford’s oldest son, Marshall, pulled out about halfway through the first, 23-mile segment. (The 11-year-old kept up with the adults to that point, despite riding a youth mountain bike.)

Some cycling enthusiasts were reluctant to encourage novices to ride in the first-time event because they weren’t sure about the logistics. Brian Curran, owner of Outspokin’ bike shop in Columbia, said he now would have few qualms about suggesting customers tag along with the governor. In fact, Curran has decided to offer a free clinic this Saturday (see gray box for details).

Sanford spokesman Chris Drummond said one of the few complaints last weekend was that rest stops need a better variety of snacks. Most offered peanut butter sandwiches, bananas, fitness drinks and water.

The governor’s staff was disappointed that few parents and young people took advantage of the shorter Family Fun Rides. The vast majority of the participants were veteran road cyclists.

“We had hoped more family would participate and not see it as a race,” Drummond said.

Sanford hopes positive publicity about the first leg of the event and better weather will bring families out to Williams-Brice Stadium on May 15 for the start of the second day.

People leery of testing their fitness on the full 50-mile ride could plan to stop at the first break at Congaree National Park. If you’re not up to that flat, 16-mile trip, consider the Family Fun Ride, where roads are blocked off for about a 2- to 4-mile route.

Davis thinks anybody with a bike and a helmet will feel safe on the ride. “It’s the perfect event for somebody who’s got minimal experience,” Davis said. “It’s the safest ride I’ve ever been on.”

S.C. Highway Patrol motorcycle officers bracketed the main pack of riders, and a truck-based, flashing sign warned drivers about the cyclists ahead. The various sweep vehicles spread out among the slower riders, protecting them from passing drivers.

On a two-lane road, passing the cyclists in a vehicle was nearly impossible. If you don’t plan to participate, you might want to avoid driving on Bluff Road the morning of May 15.

Reach Holleman at (803) 771-8366 or jholleman@thestate.com.

BIKE RIDE TIPS

Gov. Mark Sanford’s bike ride across the state continues May 15-16, with sections from Columbia to Elloree and Santee to North Charleston.

Short trips: Family Fun Rides will be set up at the start of each day. These range from 2 to 4 miles on streets blocked off to vehicle traffic.

Testing the waters: If you want to try a longer ride, plan to tag along with the governor on one section of the longer trips. The flat, 16-mile ride from Williams-Brice Stadium to Congaree National Park on May 15 should be ideal for road cycling beginners. The May 16 trip starts with an 8.5-mile ride from Santee State Park to Vance.

Overnighters: Road cycling veterans who want to ride both of the final two days might want to consider camping at Santee State Park (the park cabins are booked up). Call (803) 854-2408 for information on the park. Several hotels also are available in nearby Santee.

Sunday ride: Sanford plans to take a break in the May 16 journey for a short church service at Live Oak AME Church in Vance at 9:45 a.m.

Getting ready: Outspokin’ bike shop in Columbia plans a free clinic Saturday for people interested in riding in the event. Store employees will do a safety check of your bike and offer tips on the ride. Participants need to register at the store at 3223 Devine St., call (803) 254-9797 or go online to http://www.outspokinbicycles.com/.

Online: Find event details at http://www.scgovernor.com/

BIKE CLINIC

A Saturday tune-up

The Outspokin’ bicycle shop, at 3223 Devine St. in Columbia, will offer a free clinic at 3 p.m. Saturday to tune up bikes and offer riders advice. Register in advance at (803) 254-9797 or go online at http://www.outspokinbicycles.com/.