Tour de Lebanon Valley returns Saturday, June 10, for the fifth annual edition of Lebanon County’s premiere biking event.
Race routes of 6 miles (family ride), 30 miles (mid-distance), and 62 miles (metric century) will once again be offered.
Rides begin from the Lebanon Valley Exposition Center & Fairgrounds, 80 Rocherty Road, with staggered start times to ensure participant safety. The metric century ride will have a rolling start from 6:30 to 7:30 a.m.; the mid-distance ride will have a rolling start from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m., and the family ride will have a rolling start from 9 to 10 a.m.
New this year, organizers will hold a kickoff bash at the Visit Lebanon Valley Visitors Center in North Cornwall Commons on Friday, June 9. From 4 to 7 p.m. on the eve of the race, riders will be able to check in for the event, pick up their race swag and merch, and enjoy music, food, and beer.
Read More: Visit Lebanon Valley opens welcome center in North Cornwall Commons
“We are excited for this year’s Tour de Lebanon Valley,” said Nikki Gray, executive director of the Community Health Council of Lebanon County and chair of the event/race director, in a press release. “We have added a pre-party event at Visit Lebanon Valley on Friday night and spread the fun over two days.”
The pre-party event will also feature a bike collection drive. Laurie Crawford, co-director of the Lebanon Bicycle Recycle and Tour de Lebanon Valley committee member, encouraged attendees to consider donating old bikes to the effort.
“We fix them and give them back to the community, it is a great way to continue the love of cycling in Lebanon,” said Crawford in a press release.
Read More: Lebanon Bicycle Recycle program offers repairs, donated bikes
The family ride, a round trip on the Lebanon Valley Rail Trail to the historic Cornwall Iron Furnace, is open to all ages, but children 16 and under must be accompanied by an adult.
All participants, regardless of route, must wear helmets.
Motorists are advised that there will be increased bike traffic in the area during this event.
Participation in the family ride costs $5 per person, while the metric century and mid-distance rides come at $50 through May 28, after which the cost will increase to $60. Online registration closes Thursday, June 8, at 5 p.m.
Riders can also purchase limited-edition jerseys, shirts, posters, and more from the registration site.
Team discounts are available by contacting Gray.
Race organizers have again this year negotiated a group rate at the Fairfield Inn & Suites, located in North Cornwall Commons across the street from the race starting point. Rooms are available for $199 per night.
The event, which will proceed rain or shine, is hosted by the Lebanon Valley Bicycle Coalition, the Lebanon Valley Conservancy, and the Community Health Council of Lebanon County, with support from Visit Lebanon Valley, Lebanon Bicycle Recycle, and the Lebanon Valley Mountain Bike Team. Proceeds from the event support each of those organizations, with the exception of Visit Lebanon Valley.
Water stations are sponsored by APR Supply, Cornwall Manor, and WellSpan.
More information, such as the 2022 race routes (2023 routes will be posted once available), can be found at TourDeLebanonValley.com.
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