The 7th annual Tour de Nash bike race will be held on Saturday, May 21. Mayor Karl Dean will kick off the event at 8 a.m. on the Vanderbilt Campus, across Natchez Trace from the Vanderbilt football stadium. Participants can enjoy bike rides of 15, 29 or 58 miles that highlight bike lanes and greenways throughout Nashville. The 15-mile bike ride is free and a special free 1.5 mile ride for younger children will also be held.
“The flood hit last year less than three weeks before the 7th Tour de Nash was originally scheduled,” said Tour co-chair Dorothy Stannard. “The ride includes many Nashville greenways and too many of them were closed due to mud and washed out bridges. So we had to cancel for 2010 and instead Walk/Bike Nashville members helped organize a clean-up day for some of the greenways. But we’re back this year and ready to have a bigger, better, and drier ride.”
“We charged for the short rides a couple years ago, but through our partnership with Metro, we are excited to be able to bring back the free 15-mile and 1.5 mile kids rides this year,” Stannard said. “But I think people could surprise themselves by how far they can ride, so we hope riders of all levels decide to sign up for the longer rides so they can enjoy more of the great sites along the route. Since the Tour is not a race, everyone can ride at their own pace and take it easy along the route,” Stannard said.
Stannard recommends sunscreen and comfortable exercise clothes, and helmets are mandatory for those doing any of the rides.
Rest stops sponsored by local businesses will be spaced out over the routes to provide food and water for riders. The courses will be clearly marked, with police at the busier intersections and volunteers to assist with directions at many other locations.
For more information on the Tour de Nash, visit www.walkbikenashville.org.
Contact: Justin Palmore info@walkbikenashville.org or (334) 333-4329.