On September 6th, the Friends of Blackwater surprised Georgena Terry with a wonderful honor: a “self help bike station” at the Refuge Visitor Center, complete with honorary plaque. The event occurred on the eve of this year’s Wild Goose Chase, a women-only benefit ride that Georgena conceived of 10 years ago.
Maryland’s Eastern Shore has always been one of her favorite places to ride. She first experienced the beauty of Blackwater during a busy family weekend in 2002. “I needed a break while attending a wedding. I went riding in Blackwater to find some quiet and I was instantly captivated.” (Knowing her as I do, it would not surprise me if she failed to make it to that wedding.)
Blackwater Refuge is a place of extraordinary beauty and a critical habitat for a wide assortment of wildlife in the Mid Atlantic region. It is home to a number of at-risk and endangered species as well as the second largest collection of nesting bald eagles in the eastern United States.
“Habitat conservation and cycling go hand in hand,” says Terry. “Without habitat, there’s no place to ride.”
Since its inception, the Wild Goose Chase has contributed in excess of $170,000 to the Friends of Blackwater in support of the Refuge. What started as a one-day event has now turned into a weekend of outdoor activities and participation by a number of cycling companies. Thousands of women have attended throughout this past decade and have all made a contribution to support numerous Refuge projects, in addition to riding with Georgena and friends.
Congratulations on this wonderful honor and cycling legacy, Georgena!
Congratulations!! And thanks for all you’ve done for the cycling community!
Lovely Lady! What a wonderful honor,
Remember visiting with her in Vermont at the Harbour Basin Terry bike tour!
Bike on Georgena!!♀️
Kudos,Georgena:
You are truly a gem. I shall never forget how you turned around on a steep Vermont incline to teach me how to climb on my first tour the year I got my Classic!
I know how you love the Blackwater Refuge and I enjoyed that tour with you as well.
Congratulations on the honor bestowed and all of your many successes.
Fondly,
Lois Dennis
Kudos,Georgena:
You are truly a gem. I shall never forget how you turned around on a steep Vermont incline to teach me how to climb on my first tour the year I got my Classic!
I know how you love the Blackwater Refuge and I enjoyed that tour with you as well.
Congratulations on the honor bestowed and all of your many successes.
Fondly,
Lois
Well deserved Georgena!!
Congrats GT!! A perfect gift to honor your contribution to women’s cycling and for starting the Wild Goose Chase all women’s bike ride! Tailwinds!
Georgena, You have done more to benefit many people and creatures in a variety of disciplines and environments than anyone else. I thank you for all that you have done for women, cycling, the environment, wildlife, and society in general. If it were not for you, I think I never would have accomplished everything I have achieved thus far in my life. Congrats on this incredibly special honor.
What an inspiration! Thank you creating a bicycle for a small stature woman. Thank you for influencing the bike world as you have done. Thank you for stepping outside the box for women everywhere!!! You’re a jewel!!!
Well deserved!! Thank you for guiding and leading bicycling women. Your videos that were on the Terry website helped me learn technical aspects of cycling, your personal story inspired me to ride more, and your women-specific clothes made riding more comfortable. Again, thank you.