Backroad Bike Tour offers three options to cycling enthusiasts

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

GREENCASTLE -- Bicycle enthusiasts will have three distinct ways to indulge their passion with the Backroad Bike Tour sponsored by People Pathways on Sept. 11.

Whether it's a family fun ride or a warm-up for the Hilly Hundred in October, each route offers the chance for biking fun.

The first route is perfect for a leisurely family ride at 14 miles long. The ride will leave Robe-Ann Park, connect with the People Pathway and ride out to Fillmore.

The route then leaves Fillmore and returns via the same route.

The middle route is 36 miles long and also visits Fillmore before heading to Heritage Lake, where riders will be challenged by the hills and awed by the beauty of the lake and the surrounding countryside.

From Heritage Lake, riders will return to Robe-Ann Park via Fillmore and Right of Way Road and Albin Pond Road.

The long route is 63 miles for those who want to ride a metric century (100 km). This route will take riders to Fillmore, Stilesville, Monrovia and Coatesville before returning to the park.

Support and gear (SAG) stops: There will be water, cookies and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches available at the SAG stops. There will be one stop for the 14-mile route at the halfway point. There will be two stops for the 36-mile route, and four stops for the 63-mile route. There will also be drivers on the routes to check for breakdowns of both bicycles and riders.

Backroad Bike Tour sponsors include Covered Bridge Cyclery, Treasures on the Square, Putnam County Convention and Visitors Bureau, Final Approach Restaurant and Bistro, Old National, Chief's, Bret Hurley Construction, The Inn at DePauw, Shuee & Sons, Greencastle Parks and Recreation Department, Pershing & Company, Wal-Mart Supercenter, Greencastle Physical Therapy & Sports Medicine Center, Kroger, Subway, Berty & Betty's Kitchen, KFC Greencastle, Baker's Septic Service and Almost Home.

There will be lots of good stuff, including gift certificates for some lucky riders for post-ride dinners.

Completed registration forms may be dropped of (with check) at Covered Bridge Cyclery, 24 S. Indiana St. Registrations must be received by Thursday to receive a T-shirt. There may be a limited number of shirts available for purchase during the day of registration.

Registration fees are listed on the registration form below.

All proceeds from the Backroad Bike Tour benefit the People Pathways.

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