Amish Country Bike Tour registration due Sept. 8
Bike Delaware volunteers have been busy finalizing the plans for this year’s tour 34th Annual Amish Country Bike Tour Saturday, Sept. 12.
Modifications to the tour have been implemented to increase social distancing opportunities and bolster hygiene practices. The tour format has changed from a mass start to a show-and-go, staggered by planned riding distance, as follows: 100-mile riders will begin between 7and 8 a.m.; 50/62-mile riders begin between 8 and 9 a.m.; and 15/25-mile riders begin between 9 and 10:30 a.m.
All registered riders are asked to sign up for 10-minute increment slots at signupgenius.com.
In another move to decrease social interaction, all riders registered by Tuesday, Sept. 1, will receive their registration packets via snail mail. Event Director Marci Drees said, “This added step will help minimize interactions between volunteers and riders, helping us to ensure a safer experience for all. Anyone registering after Sept. 1 will be notified that they will need to pick up their registration packets. Based on our history, those numbers will be very manageable. We have plenty of space for those few riders to spread out on Legislative Mall.”
Additional safeguards have been put in place. Online registration closes earlier than usual, Tuesday, Sept. 8, and same-day registration has been eliminated.
Riders will be provided with masks when needed. Masks must be worn at all stops or when riders are in proximity to others not in their group
Rest stops have been modified to minimize crowding and potential for contamination of food/beverages. There will still be individually wrapped pies! More hand sanitizer and cleaning stations will be provided.
Volunteers and participants will be educated on best practices for having a safe ride according to USA Cycling.
Social distancing spaces will be be created on Legislative Mall for riders to use.
The family-style barbecue will be changed to a catered box meal from Mission Barbecue.
Free wine and beer at the end of the event have been canceled.
“Traditionally, a nice day can increase ridership by close to 500 people. Eliminating day-of registration will keep the event from becoming too big to manage,” said Chris Castagno, Bike Delaware board president. “We’ve been monitoring other cycling events around the country that have taken place, and feel we can safely host and still provide a needed, socially distant outdoor experience for our riders.”
Routes are 15, 25, 50, 62 or 100 miles through peaceful, flat, low-traffic Amish countryside. Rider support will be provided from the start to the 5 p.m. finish.
For more information, go to bikede.org.
