Registration open for award-winning annual bike tour
The Bethany-Fenwick Area Chamber of Commerce’s 22nd Annual Ocean to Bay Bike Tour earned the 2011 Southern Delaware Tourism Annual Recognition Award in early December. This annual award is given to an organization, company or individual for outstanding and significant contribution to enrich tourism in Sussex County. The event, held annually in mid-April, sponsored by PNC Bank, sold out for the first time in 22 years with a record-breaking 1,200 cyclists in 2011. The Ocean to Bay Bike Tour offers a tour around the beautiful bay, pristine beaches and scenic inland areas of the Quiet Resorts. A five-mile family fun ride was added in 2011 to the original 30- and 50-mile routes to encourage more families to participate.
Each year, the bike tour brings out-of-town guests and revenue into the local community at a time when businesses need it most. The 22nd Annual Ocean to Bay Bike Tour was credited for the boost of nearly a half million dollars that the local economy saw that weekend.
Tim Haley, owner of The Blue Crab of Bethany Beach, said, “The Blue Crab had a tremendous weekend thanks to the Ocean to Bay Bike Tour. We shattered our previous sales levels for that weekend thanks to the large turnout for the event. Downtown Bethany was filled to capacity, which we normally only see during the summer season. Our customers were mostly from out of town who told us that they came to Bethany because of the bike tour.”
“The event showcases all that is special and unique to the Quiet Resorts area,” said chamber Executive Director Carrie Subity. “This event has shown significant growth over the past five years, almost doubling in size, making it one of the premier tourism events in our area. It takes a lot of work and effort to pull off an event like this each year. We would like to share this award with all of our sponsors, volunteers, local police, fire companies and communities and thank them for their hard work and dedication.” Seventy-three percent of participants lived outside Delaware and traveled from nine different states as far away as Seattle, Wash., encouraging overnight visitation. The event drew 218 first-time guests to the area.
Past recipients of the award include the Apple-Scrapple Festival in Bridgeville, Dogfish Head Brewery, the Rehoboth Beach Independent Film Festival and the Lewes Maritime History Trail. Southern Delaware Tourism gives this award each year to celebrate noteworthy contributions to the tourism industry in Sussex County, which generates more than $750 million annually, employs 14,000 people, helps diversify and stabilize the local economy, and attracts additional businesses.
Registration for the 23rd Annual Ocean to Bay Bike Tour set for Saturday, April 21, is now open and filling up fast. The tour is a great opening ride to the Mid-Atlantic cycling season and offers something for everyone, beginners and experienced cyclists. Cyclists choose a 5-, 30- or 50-mile route through the beaches, bays and beyond. The chamber would like to thank presenting sponsor PNC Bank, and NVHomes Coastal Division, ResortQuest Delaware and CRH Tented Events for their supporting sponsorship.
Cyclists can register by mail, online at TheQuietResorts.com, or at the chamber. Preregistration through the end of February is $30 per adult and $15 for children ages 5-18. From March 1 to 31, the fee is $35/$20, and in April $40/$25 up until event day. Children 4 and under ride free, but won’t receive commemorative T-shirts or goody bags. For preregistered teams of six or more, the last rider rides free. Go to TheQuietResorts.com or call 800-962- 7873 for more information.
The Bethany-Fenwick Area Chamber of Commerce is a coalition of nearly 800 business members in and around the towns of Bethany Beach, Clarksville, Fenwick Island, Frankford, Millville, Ocean View, Roxana, Selbyville and South Bethany. The chamber, founded in 1976, provides members with valuable opportunities for advertising, promotion and networking, timely information, exclusive discounts, and a unified and effective voice in local and state government. For more information, call 302-539-2100.
