Annual Event Showcasing Virginia’s Beauty Now in its 26th Year
The Bike Virginia Tour will be taking place between Rockbridge County and Botetourt County between June 21-26. The tour features about 1,600 cyclists of all skills and abilities for six days of touring the beautiful Virginia countryside and visiting its many places of interest.
The 2013 tour will begin in scenic Rockbridge County in the Lexington and Buena Vista area, with the first three days of camping at the Glen Maury Park, on the Maury River in Buena Vista.
Bike Virginia’s participants are a mix of bicycle enthusiasts of all ages and abilities. Riders range in age from young children in carts to more seasoned cyclists (the oldest rider was 88). The average age of participants in 2012 was 54. The tour offers an economical, family friendly and environmentally sound, car-free vacation. Riders will be have the opportunity to ride up to 450 miles, depending on which route options they choose. Last year’s event drew riders from 50 states and seven countries.
While in the area, participants and spectators will enjoy biking, outdoor recreation, shopping, dining, visits to historic sites and other regional activities. The event is a boon to the local economy.
“In previous years, participants spent more than $1,100,000 for lodging, food, drink, entertainment, transportation and retail purchases; secondary spending is estimated at another $725,363,” said Dr. Kim Perry, executive director of the event. “Additionally, Bike Virginia spends about $500,000 annually on services and materials to hold the event. We are glad to be able to support our local communities.”
“We are absolutely thrilled that Bike Virginia has chosen to launch the tour in Rockbridge County”, said Jean Clark, Director of Tourism for Lexington, Buena Vista and Rockbridge County. “We have so much to do and see, including the awe-inspiring Natural Bridge, numerous Civil War historic sites, vineyards and craft breweries, the Virginia Safari Park, several universities as well as wonderful shops in our towns and villages. We invite all riders to explore our community.”
Each day, riders will have the opportunity to choose a route from the campgrounds based on what their interests are as well as their cycling abilities. Daily routes are rated based on the length of the ride and the difficulty (flat vs. rolling hills).
For the second leg of the trip, base camp will be located at Botetourt County’s 125-acre Greenfield Recreation Center in Troutville. Botetourt County offers a wide variety of historical sites, hiking trails, scenic views and water-based recreational opportunities as well as varied dining and cultural activities.
“We are honored that Bike Virginia has chosen Botetourt County for a portion of the 2013 tour and we look forward to hosting the cyclists and showing them a great time in town,” said Pete Peters, Director of Parks, Recreation and Tourism for Botetourt County. “There are inspiring views in every direction and outdoor activities abound in Botetourt. We are so excited to be given the opportunity to demonstrate our unique character and warm hospitality that our community is known for.”
The two camping locations were selected based on their appeal to a wide range of participants.
“We chose these two base locations for this year’s tour because these communities are some of the friendliest regions in the state, and the scenery is absolutely breathtaking,” said Bike Virginia’s Dr. Perry. “The rich cultural history and numerous recreational opportunities offered in both Rockbridge and Botetourt Counties will provide our cyclists with an outstanding outdoor vacation experience”.
The tour is a program of Bike Virginia, a 501(C)(3) non-profit that provides educational programs and grants and works to improve bicycling in Virginia for better transportation, health and the environment. For more information on this year’s Bike Virginia Tour, visit www.BikeVirginia.org or contact Kim Perry at 804-477-1780 or [email protected].