The Asheville Fire Department is proud to announce its participation in the annual Carolina Brotherhood Ride, a multi-day cycling event honoring fallen firefighters and first responders across the Carolinas. This year’s ride will travel through Asheville, prompting temporary traffic impacts as participants make their way through the city.
Expected traffic impacts
The ride enters Buncombe County on June 26 at Enka-Candler Fire Station 10 around 2 p.m. It then heads to Enka Intermediate School (3:15–3:30 p.m.), Asheville Fire Station 10 (4:00–4:20 p.m.), and Asheville Fire Station 9 (4:40–4:50 p.m.). The ride concludes it’s Buncombe County ride at Fairview Volunteer Fire Department around 5:30 p.m. All times are approximate estimates; drivers, please stay alert. See attached map for complete route.
The Asheville Fire Department encourages drivers to exercise patience as bikers ride through Buncombe County. Emergency services will remain fully operational, and efforts will be made to minimize disruption.
AFD Firefighters participate
This year, Asheville Fire Department Division Chief Rich Rauschenbach and Firefighter Chris Ellis will ride approximately 600 miles across North Carolina and South Carolina to support this cause. In addition to the Fire Department’s participation, Asheville Police will also have participants taking part in this year’s ride.
“I am honored to be able to participate in the Brotherhood Ride, Firefighter Ellis says. “I think it’s important to honor our fellow brothers and sisters who have given the ultimate sacrifice by hearing and sharing their stories.”
“The loss of Captain Jeff Bowen in the line of duty on Biltmore Avenue brought the realities of sacrifice and service close to home,” Chief Rauschenbach says. “In 2012, I participated in my first Carolina Brotherhood ride in honor of Captain Bowen, and I have remained committed to the organization and its mission ever since. I am truly grateful to be part of this remarkable family of first responders. The Carolina Brotherhood’s commitment to honoring the fallen and caring for their loved ones serves as a powerful reminder that while heroes may be gone, their legacy endures, and their families will always remain part of ours.”