The 24th Annual Amish Country Bike Tour is off to a promising start. Although the event isn’t until Saturday, Sept. 11, pre-registration is booming with more than 1,000 riders already signed up, which is only approximately 200 shy of last year’s total, according to Cindy Small, executive director of Kent County Tourism.
“We have had a landslide,” she said. “We’ve way exceeded our expectations.”
Part of that could be attributed to the discounted early registration, Small said. Organizers pushed early registration to make day-of registration less painful for eager cyclists and swamped volunteers, and to give riders a break on the cost.
Another draw might be the new partnerships, including those with USO Delaware and the Biggs Museum of American Art. Or it might be that when organizing committees asked veteran cyclists what they were looking for out of the tour, planners listened.
Here’s what they came up with:
1 Patriotic salute
The significance of holding the tour on Sept. 11 was not lost on Kent County Tourism. Not only will organizers be handing out American flags and temporary tattoos before the ride, but they took the opportunity to partner with USO Delaware for the occasion. At 8 a.m., USO Delaware Director Joan Cote will lead a tribute to victims of Sept. 11 and those in the armed services. For the first time, there also will be a blessing of the bikes, comments by Chaplain David Sparks of the Dover Air Force Base, as well as a bagpiping performance and presentation of the colors, and national anthem by former Miss Delaware Heather Lehman.
The groups also are partnering to collect phone cards, cases of bottled water and monetary donations for troops. Items can be dropped off on the collection area at Legislative Mall the day of the race, or at the tourism office at 435 N. DuPont Highway, Dover.
As usual, the annual bike tour also benefits the Central Delaware YMCA, Amish School House Fund and the Bike Tour Fund.
2 Something for entire family
It’s not trite to say the annual ride is for all ages.
“We’ve had toddlers in little pull-behinds and on the back of bikes. Last year, we had a senior club that came from Long Island and they were all in their 80s. We definitely have people in their 80s who do this,” Small said.
Cyclists can choose a distance that suits their abilities, from the shortest 15-mile route to the most challenging 100-mile track, to something in between.
If they’re not interested in riding, families can wait for the post-ride party on Legislative Mall at 11 a.m. or participate in one of the new related activities at the Biggs Museum of American Art.
The museum, which is across the street from Legislative Mall, was eager to join in the festivities this year, according to Sarah DiMondi, marketing and community relations coordinator. For adults, the museum is offering two, 45-minute yoga sessions free to participating cyclists, and $5 to the general public. They’ve also developed a kids’ craft in the form of quilt making. Children 12 and younger can stop in to the museum between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. to decorate a fabric square that will be used for the first Biggs Museum Amish Country Bike Tour quilt, which will be displayed in the museum after completed.
At the after-party on the mall, there will be family fun in the form of the Todd Stonesifer Band, barbecue, homemade Amish ice cream, games and more.
There also will be health screenings and pharmacists from CVS/Pharmacy on hand to answer questions.
3 Weather watch
The ride is rain or shine. Except for that one time. The tour was postponed in 2008 due to impending storms, an event organizers hope will not be repeated.
“We would not have postponed it had we not been strongly urged to do that,” Small said.
4 Ask and cyclists shall receive
Small and volunteer Dave Moses, owner of Dave’s Road Bikes, agreed that cyclist feedback was essential in planning this year’s ride. As a result, the Marydel and Amish Schoolhouse rest stops will feature musicians Celtic Harvest, Sandy Shalk, The Stoney Run String Band and Kevin Sarkissian so cyclists can relax for a bit longer while munching on goodies.
One request from avid cyclists was for more SAG, or support and gear, vehicles. Moses, who is heading up the SAG team this year, said most people don’t need them but their presence is necessary just in case of flat tires, worn out tubes or the occasional technical malfunction.
Moses instituted a more efficient communication system this year and beefed up the volunteer corps to help cyclists. He’ll bring his truck — a veritable mobile bike shop — in case of more serious mishaps.
“I can do anything, even completely build or rebuild a bike out of my trailer,” he said.
5 Prostate cancer awareness
Cyclists who want twice as challenging a day can sign up for the Pedal Away Prostate Cancer competitive race at 7:30 a.m., then loop back around to the bike tour after they finish. The 25-mile race is a fundraiser to raise awareness during Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, and to benefit awareness, research and screening programs.
Email Sarika Jagtiani at sarika.jagtiani@doverpost.com.
