About 100 bicyclists, many wearing brightly colored spandex suits, showed up for services at Live Oak African Methodist Church in Vance on Sunday.

Accompanying the cyclists was Gov. Mark Sanford, leading the final leg of the Family Fitness Challenge.

The church on S.C. 6 is roughly 8 miles from Santee State Park, the starting point for the last 50 miles of the governor’s fitness challenge, a bicycle ride across the state.

Sanford made the trip with his family, first lady Jenny Sanford and sons, Marshall, Landon, Bolton and Blake. Youngest son, Blake, started the cyclists, but did not ride because of a broken arm.

Sunday’s route from Santee to North Charleston took riders past cornfields and old farmhouses. Riders started around 9 a.m. with sunny skies. Before they reached their destination, they were hit by several brief but drenching showers. The group arrived in Wannamaker Park about 1:30 p.m.

But before the ride got under way, church members and friends turned out to welcome Sanford, his family and the riders.

“We know that he’s promoting health,” said Catherine Shuler, secretary of Live Oak AME. “Nowadays it is important to take a different look at health issues.” Shuler helped several other members hang a welcome banner over the entrance.

The Rev. Willie H. Brown provided a 20-minute service that included a prayer for a safe trip.

Sanford said the church service allowed his family to continue their practice of going to church on Sundays.

The family sat on the front row, along with Rep. Gilda Cobb-Hunter.

Sanford said from the conversations he had with the other riders, the church service was the highlight of the day. “It is an experience not many have had. It was important to stop and pray for safety.”

Robert Weckbacher of Mount Pleasant and Harry Peeples of Summerville were heading back home. Weckbacher got Peeples into bike riding about five years ago.

Since then, Peeples has lost about 60 pounds, going from 230 pounds to around 170. “The main thing is keeping it off,” Peeples said.

In addition to staying healthy, they enjoyed the camaraderie with the other riders.

“Everybody’s attitude has been great,” Weckbacher said. “It’s nice to ride with people when you know you’re protected by the police.”

Gloria Floyd and Roger Lee were following their spouses, Arnold Floyd and Bobbi Lee, along the route in a van. They are members of a cycling team in Hartsville and take turns riding in various events.

“We’ve done this quite a few times,” Gloria Floyd said. They keep in touch with the riders by cell phone. They participated in the first leg of the family challenge from Spartanburg to Little Mountain.

Sanford hopes to make the Family Fitness Challenge an annual event, said Will Folks, his spokesman. Ideas are being discussed for the next event, which might not always involve cycling, he said.

Reach Thomas at (803) 771-8570 or mtthomas@thestate.com