LYME — The 11th annual Tour de Lyme is happening again on Sunday, June 2.
For competitive riders, this is a chance to warm up for the cycling season ahead. For others, it provides a wonderful occasion to pedal through Lyme and enjoy the surrounding countryside. If you are a mountain biker, this is an opportunity to ride through private lands open only for this event.
Everyone – riders, sponsors, and volunteers – will enjoy a post-ride picnic at Ashlawn Farm with popular food trucks, beer and live music. There will also be Tour de Lyme shirts for sale.
For complete information and online registration, visit www.tourdelyme.org.
Online registration is open through midnight EST on Friday, May 31. Note registration at the event is an additional $10.00
It is not a race but a carefully planned series of rides designed to suit every level of skill and endurance. There are four road rides of varying length and degree of difficulty:
- The CHALLENGE, the name says it all, is 60 miles – a real workout;
- The CLASSIC, shorter at 25 miles, but still a challenge;
- The VALLEY Rides ‒ pleasant easier rides with fewer hills, 26 miles or 35 miles
- The FAMILY ‒ at just 8 miles designed for riding with children.
There are also two mountain bike options;
- the RIDER’S TEST a 26.5 mile ride for serious enthusiasts
- a shorter, less challenging option.
The Tour de Lyme is hosted by The Lyme Land Conservation Trust. Since 1966, the Lyme Land Trust has been conserving the unique and historic landscapes of Lyme, Connecticut. During those years, the Lyme rural community has shown that a small population can have a big impact and protect more than 3000 acres of woodlands, working farm fields, and bird-filled marshes. The result is an outdoor paradise – open to all.
Money raised from the Tour de Lyme will create added opportunities for public enjoyment of the Land Trust preserves while protecting and maintaining what has already been conserved for generations to come.
The Lyme Land Trust is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization – registration and donations are tax deductible.
Wish this Tour de Lyme existed when I lived in Old Lyme. Wonderful idea. I rode my mini Tour de Lyme 6 days a week on a one speed bike delivering the New London Day for 5 years until June 1957 when I left for Plebe Summer Indoctrination at the Naval Academy. My Tour was Mile Creek Road —Shore Road— Button Ball Road —more Mile Creek and numerous driveways and lawns to drop the paper —— rain or snow. It was a lonesome but physically refreshing ride which developed strong legs and a heart rate in the low fifties to this day. At the Academy my Tour de Day legs became a speed advantage as a member of the Varsity Naval Academy Soccer Team. I hope everyone enjoys the ride and the chance to make new friends. John Champlain — Class of 1957 — Mrs Clark 1st grade to Miss Prest 12th grade !!