27th Annual Amish Country Bike Tour is September 7

by Cindy Small
Kent County and Greater Dover Convention and Visitors Bureau

DOVER, DE – Registration is now open for the 27th annual Amish Country Bike Tour, set for Saturday, September 7, starting at 8 a.m. on Legislative Mall in Dover, Delaware.  Join more than 2,200 cyclists from all over the world joined together in 2012, making it Delaware’s largest cycling event.

“Our cyclists asked us to open registration and start getting details out earlier,” said Lorraine Dion, Director of Special Events and Public Relations for Kent County Tourism, coordinator of the event.  “When the new year rolls around, cyclists begin planning their vacations around cycling events, and the Amish Country Bike Tour is one of them, drawing cyclists from 25 states and a foreign country.”

The bike tour, suited for all ages and abilities, includes 15, 25, 50, 62 and 100-mile loops through the flatlands of Delaware’s Amish farmlands.  Each loop starts and stops at the beautiful Legislative Mall outdoor historic park.  Plenty of free parking is nearby.  “The 15-mile tour works well for those just getting into cycling or those with families,” Ms. Dion said.  “The 25, 50 and 62-mile loops suit emerging distance cyclists, and the 100-mile loop – a favorite of more than 300 cyclists annually – is a test of skill and endurance, yet because of Delaware’s flatness, is very achievable.”

Rest stops include the Amish Schoolhouse, also known as the “famous pie stop,” where locally-baked apple, cherry, blueberry and pumpkin pies from Byler’s Country Store, along with locally-baked oatmeal-raisin cookies from the kitchen at Redner’s Warehouse Markets.  Additional food stops will include fruit, healthy snacks, sandwiches and beverages.

Following the tour, cyclists will be treated to a catered barbecue meal of pulled pork or chicken and all the trimmings, and vegetarian meals will also be provided.  Proceeds from this year’s bike tour will benefit the Central Delaware YMCA, the Amish Schoolhouse education program, three local participating churches and the Bike Tour fund.

Early-bird registration is April 1, which includes bike tour map, up to four food and rest stops including the famous pie stop, and the after-tour catered barbecue meal will consist of pulled pork or chicken, sides, beverage and dessert, and vegetarian meals will also be available.  The following is a breakdown of rates and dates:

• Now through April 1:  $40/adults; $20 ages 5-16; under 5, free;
• April 1-July 31:  $50/adults; $25 ages 5-16; under 5, free;
• August 1-September 7:  $60/adults; $25 for 5-16; under 5, free; and

T-shirts are available for purchase but must be purchased in advance.  No shirts will be available for sale at the event.  Extra meal tickets for friends and family can be purchased in advance or onsite.

Cyclists may download a registration form from the website, pay by mail, or register online.  For more information, call 800-233-5368, or Cindy Small, 302-734-1736 (Plenty of Great Photos Available).