Tour offers natural entertainment for bicyclists

By M. Patricia Titus
Staff Reporter

	Coastal Point • FILE PHOTO A pair of cyclists ride during the 16th annual Ocean-to-Bay Bike Tour.

The weather has begun to warm, the birds to return in full force and the humans to emerge from winter’s hibernation within four walls. What better time for a nice, long bike ride through the splendor of the area’s natural wonders?

Residents and visitors alike will have the opportunity to take in just such a ride this weekend, when the 17th Annual Ocean-to-Bay Bike Tour offers three different routes through the coastal area, in varying lengths of 20, 35 and 50 miles, on Saturday, April 22.

The award-winning tour is sponsored by the Bethany-Fenwick Area Chamber of Commerce and offers participants a leisurely ride on flat terrain through coastal and inland bay areas, starting at the Chamber’s seaside location.

Chamber Events Coordinator Amy Tingle has noted in past years that many local families – and those at the beach just for the weekend – will decide at the last minute take the ride. Last-minute sign-ups generally comprise half of the final number of participants, and riders of all ages are welcome. (Those younger than 16 must be accompanied by an adult.)

The 2005 tour was a record-breaker for the Chamber, and 2006 looks to be going on the same pace. As of mid-week, there were about 360 bicyclists registered for the tour – roughly the same as last year. “That was a record, so we might break that this year. We’ll see,” Tingle said.

The tour is held rain or shine, so the weather is always the biggest factor in tour participation, with beautiful biking weather equating to larger turnout – particularly among those who decide to do the ride at the last minute. Bad weather has been known to keep even those who long planned on doing the ride at home instead. But the tour always has a healthy turnout, regardless of what Mother Nature provides in the weather – the rest of her bounty is too tempting to resist for many of the riders.

Chamber representatives said they are pleased to announce that the 35- and 50-mile routes have changed for 2006. Tingle said the route changes were largely due to ongoing construction at the Indian River Bridge. Previously, the longer courses headed toward Delaware Seashore State Park, with a rest stop in that area. But with the headaches involved in traversing the construction area, the Chamber elected for a more westward route for this year’s tour.

“Instead of going north to the bridge … we’re going more west, to the Selbyville area, for the 35- and 50-mile routes. So the 35-and 50- mile routes will be changing slightly, while the 20-mile route remains the same,” Tingle said.

Longer-distance bicyclists this year will be able to visit some new areas as a result. “We actually have a rest stop at Selbyville Town Hall instead of Delaware Seashore State Park this year,” Tingle explained. The rest stops will offer riders not only the chance to take a break but refreshments to help them keep peddling, as well.

The longer ride distance offers an opportunity for organized bicycle clubs to try a new outing for their groups. The Chamber focused on bringing in such clubs in 2005, and it paid off. It also carried over to 2006, Tingle said. “We have even more bike clubs this year that haven’t participated before.” Some of those clubs are even coming from outside the state to participate.

While the longer distances are a great ride for dedicated cyclists and each of the distances offered on the tour may be far more than the average bicyclist takes on for a leisurely evening or weekend ride, Tingle said it shouldn’t necessarily be intimidating.

“We don’t get too many people who can’t finish,” she said, though she admitted it does occasionally happen. (Completion is optional, the registration form points out.)

“It’s not a race at all,” Tingle emphasized, noting that most riders simply take the distance at their own pace.

The event also offers “sag wagons” until 3 p.m., to assist riders who find they simply need to stop, as well as to provide a helping hand for those unfortunate enough to end up with a flat tire. (They can repair their flat or throw in the towel and head back to the Chamber.)

Most riders finish their chosen course by that 3 p.m. mark, according to Tingle. They begin the ride any time between 8 a.m. and 9 a.m. that morning, after checking in at the Chamber building on Route 1.

Each pre-registered participant will receive a goody bag at check-in, along with a T-shirt to commemorate the event. All other participants will receive shirts and goody bags on a first-come, first-served basis.

Again this year, a finale party will be held following the ride at Harpoon Hanna’s in Fenwick Island. Several prizes will be given away, including a bike, courtesy of Ocean Cycles.

Riders can register by mail, online at www.oceantobaybiketour.com, or at the Chamber on the day of the event. Registration costs $35 per adult, and $15 for students 18 and under. Children younger than 6 ride for free. Contact the Chamber at 800-962-SURF for more information or a registration brochure. Registration forms are also available at the Chamber office, bike shops and other area businesses.