He’s a legendary dual-sport athlete that has seen the best and worst of playing conditions. From games in the pouring rain, to playing in domed stadiums, to playing on steaming AstroTurf that might feel like the surface of the sun.

Auburn’s Heisman Trophy-winning running back and sports icon Bo Jackson has seen it all. So, with rain coming down following storms from the previous night, he had fitting words before the final event that has meant so much to many over the last decade-plus in Alabama.

“Mother Nature does not care.”, Jackson said greeting the group of bikers ahead of the Bo Bikes Bama 20-mile ride Saturday morning outside Neville Arena.

During the 60-mile ride that began at 7:00 a.m. heavy rainfall came down causing a delay for the 20-mile group.

Jackson was appreciative of all the support for the final ride despite the weather. An event that was born from the devastating 2011 tornadoes that hit Alabama.

“If you are yelling ‘Roll tide’ or ‘War Eagle’ when it comes to Mother nature the best thing to do when she comes to town is to get out her way,” Jackson said Saturday morning. “This ride has been doing this since 2011, and it’s become one of the nicest charitable events we have in the state.”

Rod Sanford has been riding in the Bo Bikes Bama event for seven years and says he’s endured all the challenges that’s come with it.

When asked about the challenge about riding in the rain, Sanford smiled and said that was the least of his worries.

“The thing for me is that when it’s not raining, we sweat so much on this course,” Sanford said. “I actually like the rain because it will make this ride a little cooler.”

Sanford works in insurance catastrophe, and he’s seen how Bo Bikes Bama has impacted the state for the last 14 years.

“I have seen the benefits of this in terms of its outreach and weather catastrophe preparedness in the state of Alabama,” Sanford added. “I think Bo and the rest of the team has done a great job with this event over the years.”

John Tapley last biked in this event in 2015 where famous cyclist Lance Armstrong also participated. Tapley made his return for the final race Saturday and brought along his daughter from New York for her first ride.

“I saw it was the last event, so I brought my daughter Rachel who came down specifically for this,” Tapley said. “Last year on this weekend she participated in her first triathlon. She almost did it again until I said no you have to do Bo Bikes Bama with me. So, here we are.”

For Rachel, she was just as excited to bike alongside her father and was not bothered by the weather conditions.

“I’m pumped. It’s my first time and honestly, I think the rain makes the whole experience better,” Rachel Tapley said.

Seeing the growth of this event for an entire decade, John Tapley pleaded for Bo to continue the annual biking tradition after seeing the turnout for the last ride.

“The impact is huge,” Tapley said. “I mean it’s raining, and people are out here to ride. It’s like wow. So, Bo don’t stop.”

Jerry Humphrey III covers Auburn sports for AL.com. You can follow him on X at @Jerryhump3 or email him at [email protected].