Kent County Tourism is gearing up for the 2013 edition of the Amish Country Bike Tour, two weeks from now on September 7th.
A group of local cyclists launched the tour 27 years ago. It was taken over by Kent County Tourism 15 years ago when it became too big for the cycling group to handle.
Bike Tour organizer Lorraine Dion says a record 2,200 hundred cyclists from around the country and beyond pedaled in the event a year ago and 1,800 people have registered for the tour so far this year.
"Last year, we had a couple come from England," noted Dion. "We had 22 states last year. We're up to about 24 [this year], so it keeps getting bigger. Texas, California, you know, a little more than half are from out of state.”
The Amish Country Bike Tour is designed to be a leisurely ride for families and beginners, or an all out training event for professional cyclists.
Dion says the event's wide range of routes, from 15 to 100 miles, and the fact that Delaware is flat help give the tour a wide appeal.
“If you want to challenge yourself you can, but if you decide you want to go 50 miles and you can only go 15 we're happy to come and pick you up and bring you back into town.” Dion added.
The $60 entry fee includes the ride on Saturday, September 7th, pie along the route, a barbeque and beer tasting, and live music.
The tour starts 8 am on Saturday, September 7th at Legislative Hall in historic Dover, and is led out of town by an Amish horse and buggy into western Kent County.
Proceeds are split among the Dover YMCA Children’s fund, the Amish schoolhouse parochial fund, and various area churches that provide their parking lots for rest and food stop areas.
Photo Courtesy: Kent Co. Tourism