CYCLING SANCTUARY - Spokes Magazine

has become the largest, multi-day, recreational bicycle
event in the Commonwealth. In 2008, Bike Virginia
is moving north. This year, more than 2,000 cyclists
on a rolling party will visit Charlottesville, Culpeper
and Orange, plus the wonderful countryside connecting
them. For inquiries, call (757) 229.0507 or email
info@bikevirginia.org.
JUNE 20-27 – GREAT OHIO ADVENTURE
GOBA is a week-long bicycle-camping tour which visits
a different part of Ohio each year. Bicycling the daily
50-mile route at a relaxing pace leaves plenty of time
for sightseeing and other tourist activities. See Ohio
while on two wheels with 2,999 of your closest friends!
Advance registration is required. For registration
materials and fees visit www.goba.com or call (614)
273-0811 ext. 1.
JUNE 21-27 – TOURING RIDE IN RURAL INDIANA
TRIRI will travel over hard-surfaced roads to take in
the sights of southwestern Indiana, using back roads
to travel to Newton-Stewart State Recreation Area,
Lincoln State Park, and Harmonie State Park. Average
65 miles/day on the days we travel to a new state park.
Three layover days offer short, medium or long loop
rides. Or, take a day off the bike to explore the park
instead. We anticipate 300-400 participants. (Routes
and mileage are subject to change; more details coming
soon.). Terrain ranges from rolling to hilly. Enjoy
camping or lodging in hotels or state park inns and
catered, sit-down meals under the state park awnings.
For more information, see www.triri.org , email
triri@triri.org, or call (812) 333-8176.
JUNE 27-28 – CATOCTIN CHALLENGE
Beautiful terrain, screaming downhills, fabulous rest
stops, plus riders cycle thru some of the mid-Atlantic’s
best historical sites, including the Gettysburg area.
Three ride options include: Saturday century with
a 45 mile return Sunday. 65 mile Saturday ride with
a 45 mile return Sunday and a 50 mile Saturday/25
mile Sunday. Overnight at the Blue Ridge Summit.
Three live bands playing poolside after Saturday’s ride.
Gourmet meals. All you do is bring your camping gear
to the starting points and go. Ride begins and ends in
Frederick County, Md. A minimum of $250 in pledges
for Habitat for Humanity. Limited to 175. Contact Phil
at (301) 662-5518 or pheffler@aol.com
JUNE 28 – BAY TO BAY RIDE
Annual ride from Betterton, Md., beachfront. Start 7
- 9 a.m., tandems at 8 a.m. Ride 50, 78, 86 or 104 flat
miles or a 27 mile loop to Chestertown. $25. Six food
stops, fully supported, swimming in the Chesapeake
Bay at ride’s end. Proceeds benefit Lions Club Leader
Dog Program for the Blind. Blind riders ride free. For
details email: bay2bay04@hotmail.com or log onto
www.chestertownlionsclub.org
JULY 25 – RIVER TO RIVER RIDE
Pedal Pennsylvania is hosting The River to River
Heritage Corridor Bicycle Tour, which starts and ends
in Souderton PA. The rides take cyclists between the
Delaware and Schuylkill Rivers. This year’s route will
feature Montgomery County to start the day followed
by Bucks County. Most of the route is along lightly
traveled roads adjacent to Route 113, taking cyclists
through small towns with farms, churches and businesses
that date back to the 1700s. Most of the ride
offers rolling terrain, but there are a few climbs along
the way. Cyclists can ride routes of 25, 50, 75 or 100
miles; all routes are loops. Proceeds benefit Heritage
Conservancy, a regional leader in natural and historic
preservation. For details contact (215) 513-7550; www.
rivertoriverride.org
JULY 26 - AUG. 1 – BONTON ROULET
This legendary event is a festival on wheels through
New York State’s Finger Lake region. Limited to 500
riders, visit dozens of wineries, quaint shops, beautiful
lakes, and plenty of historic sites. For details call (315)
253-5304 or log onto www.bontonroulet.com
JULY 13-18 – RAINSTORM
Challenge yourself with five century rides over five
days. On day six, join the Ride Across Indiana to ride
160 miles back to your point of departure. Stay in
Indiana State Park inns along the way, with catered
meals designed for athletes. If you’re a recreational
rider hoping to reach new fitness goals, a triathlete
in search of intensive time on the bike, or an ultra
marathon cyclist, this tour is for you. For more information,
see www.triri.org , email triri@triri.org, or call
(812) 333-8176.
JULY 19-25 – FANY RIDE
The Great Big FANY Ride will spin five hundred miles
Across New York – for it’s 9th annual ride. Explore
Niagara Falls, visit farm stands near the Erie Canal,
sample wines at Finger Lake region vineyards, ride
over 100 miles without a traffic light in the Adirondack
Mountains, and arrive in Saratoga Springs. SAG support,
marked roads, cue sheets, luggage transfer to
overnight campsites, optional bus to parking at start/
finish. In honor of each biker the FANY Ride makes
a donation to the Double H Ranch – a camp for children
with chronic illnesses. No pledges are required.
www.FANYride.com (518) 461-7646
WEDNESDAYS AT WAKEFIELD MTB SERIES
Mid-summer evening, June 24 to July 15 - 4-race
mountain bike race series at Wakefield Park,
Annandale, Va. With 21 categories, including 10
junior categories for males and females in 2 year
increments ages 18 and below. Three races each
night: Younger Juniors (5:30), Beginner, Jr, Masters
(6:00), Sport, Expert, Clydesdale (6:55). Fun, Fast
Singletrack. Benefits Trips for Kids Charity. Pre-register
for series at www.BikeReg.com, Info at www.
potomacvelo.com, Jim Carlson jcarlsonida@yahoo.
com; (703) 569-9875.
LUTHERVILLE WEEKLY ROAD RIDES
Lutherville Bike Shop will lead a weekly road bike
ride, leaving from the shop Mondays at 6p.m.
Proper riding attire required. Averaging 16 mph.
Approximately 30 miles A scenic road ride through
Loch Raven Reservoir and surrounding areas. We
keep the hills to a minimum and invite all riders to
the sport. Racers recovering from the weekend are
welcome as well. We’ll ride as a group and no one will
be left behind. Call the shop for details (410) 583-
8734. www.luthervillebikeshop.com
THURSDAY EVENING FREDERICK RIDES
A 15-19 mph road ride out of Frederick Bike Doctor,
5732 Buckeystown Pike, just off Route 355. Meet every
Thursday at 5:30 p.m. for a 25 mile +/- ride. No one
will be dropped. Beginning May 1 the ride time will
change to 6 p.m. Rides cancelled if roads are wet, it
is raining, temps are below 40 degrees or winds are
20 mph or above. Contact (301) 620-8868 or log onto
www.battlefieldvelo.com for details.
WEDNESDAY NIGHT MT. BIKE RIDES AT LOCH RAVEN
Lutherville Bike Shop will lead a weekly mountain
bike ride every Wednesday evening at 6 p.m. from
the shop. The ride will leave from the shop and go
through Loch Raven Reservoir. Distance and speed
will vary based on rider skill level. Call the shop for
details (410) 583-8734. www.luthervillebikeshop.com
SPIRITED SUNDAY ROAD RIDES
Join the folks of the Bicycle Place, just off Rock Creek
Park, every Sunday morning (beginning at 8:30
a.m.) for a “spirited” 36-40 mile jaunt up to Potomac
and back. This is a true classic road ride that runs
year round. While the pace is kept up, no one is
left behind. No rainy day rides. The Bicycle Place
is located in the Rock Creek Shopping Center, 8313
Grubb Road (just off East-West Highway). Call (301)
588-6160 for details.
BALTIMORE SATURDAY RIDE
A fun but spirited group ride through Baltimore
County every Saturday morning at 9 a.m. Depending
on turnout there are usually 2-3 different groups of
varying abilities. When the weather doesn’t cooperate,
we will have the option to ride indoors. Call Hunt
Valley Bicycles at (410) 252-3103 for more information.
HUDSON TRAIL OUTFITTERS RIDES
Join “HTO’s Cycling Club” for local touring and
mountain biking rides. Rides will be lead by experienced
HTO staff and will range from 10-20 mile trail
rides to 20-30 mile road rides. Arrive at 8:30 am for
pre-ride group stretching, rides will start promptly at
9:00 am. Go to www.hudsontrail.com for more information.
BIKES FOR THE WORLD
Bikes for the World collects repairable bicycles in the
United States, for donation to charities overseas, for
productive use by those in need of affordable transport.
Note: $10/bike donation suggested to defray
shipping to overseas charity partners. Receipt provided
for all material and cash donations. Bikes for
the World is a sponsored project of the Washington
Area Bicyclist Association, a 501 c 3 non-profit charity.
Collections will take place rain or shine. For a complete
list of locations and time of collections visit www.
bikesfortheworld.org or call (703) 525-0931.