Culture
11th Tour de Forest Set for May 14
< < Back to 11th-tour-de-forest-set-for-may-14The 11th Annual Tour de Forest Benefit Bicycle Ride is set for Saturday morning, May 14 with departures from the Hocking College Recreation Center beginning at 7 a.m. The non-competitive ride will support the heritage and environmental education efforts of the Little Cities of Black Diamonds Council and the Little Cities of the Forest Collaborative. The event is part of this year’s 11th Annual Little Cities Appalachian Spring celebration in Nelsonville, the crossroads of the Hocking Valley Coal Boom Era (1870-1930) that created dozens of “Little Cities of Black Diamonds.”
The Tour de Forest offers multiple distances and challenge levels to accommodate both serious bicyclists and leisure riders. Routes for this year’s ride include challenging 75 and 30 mile roadway and 54 mile gravel adventures. For novice riders and families, a lower-challenge ride on the level Hock-Hocking Adena Bikeway is available, where the rider may choose their own distance. These ‘Mining Town’ Routes explore the hills and hollers east of Nelsonville, where riders can view and visit historic towns such as New Straitsville, Murray City, Shawnee and Trimble. Outdoor sites such as the Greendale and Rutherford Wetlands and the surrounding Wayne National Forest are also trademarks of this annual event.
Registration for this year’s event is $30 for adult riders (18 and over) $20 for youths. Group registration (five plus riders) reduces those fees to $25 and $15 each. Registration includes a morning homemade granola bar from Fullbrooks Café on Nelsonville Public Square and lunch upon return to Hocking College, a day recreation pass to Hocking College facilities (pool, showers, etc.), a free bike helmet to all riders 16 years old or younger and a Tour de Forest tee-shirt. Check-in and departure begins at 7 a.m., and all riders are encouraged to depart before 11 a.m. Pre-registration is encouraged to assure adequate lunch and t-shirt options. Helmets and signed Waiver of Liability forms are required.
Visit www.tourdeforest.wordpress.com for online registration and route information. Visit www.littlecitiesofblackdiamonds.org for information about the Little Cities of Black Diamonds Council and the Appalachian Spring schedule. Questions or registration by phone available at 740-394-3011 or via e-mail at lcbdohio@gmail.com .