The ninth annual Everglades Bike Ride, organized by the Friends of the River of Grass Greenway, will be held March 13, beginning and ending in downtown Everglades City. Cyclists can choose from three courses, traversing 16, 27 or 62 miles, with the first course beginning at 8 a.m. The race takes riders through such attractions as the mangrove-dappled causeway to Chokoloskee Island, Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park, through pristine cypress forest with orchids and bromeliads; and U.S. 41 in Big Cypress National Preserve through Everglades with scenes of cypress forests and prairies.

All participants will be provided a continental breakfast at 7:30 a.m., free bike repairs compliments of Bikes for Tykes of Naples, support and gear for the ride, a tour of the historic Smallwood Store Museum, in Chokoloskee, and a seafood lunch with homemade desserts. A portion of all proceeds will be donated to the Friends of Fakahatchee and River of Grass Greenways.

Cost: $35 before Mar. 3, $40 from Mar. 4-12 and $45 on race day. For more information or to register, call 239-695-2397 or visit Evergladesrogg.org or OrchidSwamp.org.