Don’t let the word scare you off before your feet hit the pedals. "Cycling" tours offer riders much more than the push and pull of pedal strokes and sore sits bones.

Many cycling tours offer riders a choice of routes and distances, in some cases as short as 10 miles – a great introduction distance. Cycling tours accommodate riders of all abilities and ages, even children. Meeting new friends, enjoying breathe-taking views and enjoying the sun while staying healthy are part of cycling tours.

My first tour

Last May, I joined 2,539 riders for the 48th annual Tour of the Scioto River Valley, affectionately known as TOSRV (www.tosrv.org/09/index.htm). This two-day tour attracts riders across the nation. The tour begins on a Saturday (May 8 and 9 this year) in downtown Columbus and follows the Scioto River Valley between Columbus and Portsmouth. After 105 miles of flat terrain with some gentle rollers, riders spend the night in Portsmouth and repeat the 105-mile trek back to Columbus on Sunday. This ride is not for the casual rider, but it can be easily managed if you have riding experience and good SAG support.

Local Tours

Throughout the summer, I participated in three additional tours. One is the Ice Cream Ride (www.medinabikeclub.org), sponsored by the Medina County Bicycle Club. This is “one sweet ride,” just like the MCBC Web site boasts. Routes offered for this ride are 25, 42 or 65 miles, with ice cream stops along the way. The course is marked with bright, orange ice cream cones.

I followed the Ice Cream ride with another sweet ride: the Sweet Corn Challenge (www.sweetcornride.com). Eddy’s Bike shop has been hosting this ride for 16 years. July 25 will be its 17th annual challenge. All riders receive locally grown sweet corn. Following the ride, riders are treated to pulled pork sandwiches and live entertainment.

My final tour was the Summit Tour of the Metro Parks Bicycle Adventure (STOMP), presented by, Summit Metro Parks (www.stompbikeride.com). Once again, riders have a choice of routes and distances: 10/25/63. A light breakfast is served before the ride begins, and lunch and live music are waiting for hungry riders.

Preparing for a tour

This is a straightforward task that requires time and effort. Choose an event, and then develop a training plan around the date. Typically, it should be six to eight weeks. Keep in mind this will vary from person to person.

The Web site www.ultracycling.com/
training/endurance_training.html offers rides a wealth of information, including how to train, nutrition tips, suggestions and necessary equipment.  At the bottom of the Web site are more than 10 riders’ stories to help fuel your passion. Learning from others’ experiences or mistakes is a great way to expand your horizons.

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