Bicycle riders can take part in Tour de Pickle
By Staff Reports
Published in News on April 1, 2009 1:46 PM
MOUNT OLIVE -- More 100 bicycle riders are expected to participate in this year's Tour de Pickle, the recreational bicycle ride held as part of the annual North Carolina Pickle Festival.
The race will be held Saturday, April 25 and riders have a choice of a 25-mile, 50-mile or 75-mile ride. The ride helps to kick off a full day of Pickle Festival entertainment and activities.
Registration/check-in begins at 8 a.m. at the Mt. Olive Pickle Company Distribution Center on the Old Mount Olive Highway just north of town.
Riders head out on a staggered schedule beginning around 9 a.m. The routes will take the riders east around Mount Olive into Duplin County and Sampson County, depending on the route chosen by the rider.
Along the routes, riders can expect several "sag" or rest stops. Water, Gatorade, fruit and other snacks, as well as plenty of Mt. Olive pickles are available free to the riders.
Restroom facilities are also available at each sag stop and at the staging area. Drag vehicles will follow the riders throughout each route to assist with breakdowns.
Pre-registration is under way. Registration forms are available at the Mount Olive Area Chamber of Commerce in downtown Mount Olive. They are also available, along with other information, on the Tour de Pickle website at www.ncpicklefest.org.
Fees are $20 through April 15. After that, the fee is $30 through ride day. All fees benefit the Waylin Area Foundation and are tax deductible.
Pre-registration assures the rider that he or she will receive their choice of size of a long-sleeve Tour de Pickle T-shirt.