Tour de Madison bike event set

By Jane DeGeorge
Eagle Reporter
Published: May 15, 2008

Saturday, May 17, hundreds are expected to spend the day scoping the sights of Madison County on two wheels.

The area’s expansive scenery and minimal traffic are just two reasons why the Tour de Madison, now in its 21st year, has become such a success with bicycling enthusiasts from Madison County and across Virginia. 

The event – set for Saturday, May 17 – includes three different bike-riding routes of 16, 40, and 62 miles in length.

Each year, tour organizers switch up the routes to ensure a unique riding experience. The specifics of the rides are kept secret until the morning of the race to add a little mystery to the day.

Oak Park resident Barry Penn Hollar, who has been participating in the event for almost 10 years, has helped design some of the tour’s previous routes. Some of his favorite rides have been those that travel into Criglersville and Etlan, because “it’s just gorgeous on that side of the county,” he said.

“I also like going onto the east side of the county near Somerset and Scuffletown Road in Greene County too,” the Oak Park resident said, adding that “there really aren’t any bad routes,” in Madison County.

Organizers are once again hosting a breakfast prior to the race at the Madison County Volunteer Fire Company fire hall at 1223 N. Main St. in downtown Madison. Tour de Madison representatives first started offering the breakfast in 2007 in celebration of the event’s 20th anniversary.

“We had such a good response from the breakfast we are doing that again,” said Madison Vice Mayor Nancy Knighting, who has been organizing the event for the past 17 years. Knighting is also an employee of Plow and Hearth, whose founder, Madison County resident Peter Rice, first started the Tour de Madison.

Besides providing an opportunity to visit with friends and meet fellow riders, the breakfast ensures all participants will be stocked with energy for the day, according to Penn Hollar.

“With a long ride like that you need to eat a lot of food,” he said. “It’s a good thing nutritionally and just getting together before the ride is great.”
Although some sections of the tour’s routes can be challenging, the event is designed to be more of a relaxed, bike ride with friends than a competitive race, according to Knighting.

“Part of what’s fun about a ride like this is riding with friends. You always end up meeting someone new who’s riding at the same speed as you,” Penn Hollar said.

Participants are encouraged to bring along friends and family members to the event, even if they don’t plan to bike that day, according to the event organizer.

“Those who don’t ride can shop in town during the day,” Knighting said.

Each route includes “pit stops” where refreshments will be served to riders.

The cost for breakfast, served between 7:30-8:30 a.m., a T-shirt and the ride is $25 (ride only is $15). Registration forms are available by calling Nancy Knighting at (540) 948-2272 or the Madison County Facilities and Recreation Department at (540) 948-6887.

The form is available on-line at http://www.berrysports.com, http://www.rideva.com and http://www.madison-va.com.

Registration may be done in person at the fire hall the morning of the race between 7:30-8:30 a.m.

What: Tour de Madison.
When: Saturday, May 17: breakfast is 7:30-8:30 a.m.; tour starts at 9:30 a.m.
Where: Madison County Volunteer Fire Company fire hall at 1223 N. Main St. in downtown Madison.
For information: Call Nancy Knighting, (540) 948-2272 or Madison County Facilities and Recreation Department at (540) 948-6887.