Tour de Tugaloo Set for Saturday in Stephens County

The 20th annual Lainie Weade Memorial Tour de Tugaloo Benefit Bicycle Ride is coming up Saturday.

According to their website, Tour de Tugaloo started in 2003 to raise money for “Share the Road” signs, to promote cycling in the area, to advocate for routes connecting Georgia and South Carolina, and to advance the mission of the Stephens County Foundation.

Saturday’s bike ride is named for Lainie Weade who saw the need for bicycle awareness in this area.

The ride route begins Saturday morning at 9:30a at First United Methodist Church in Toccoa.

Riders can choose to tour 62, 38, or 20-mile road routes or the new mixed surface 53-mile route. The mixed route consists of a combination of paved and gravel roads.

All of the routes follow the scenic and less-traveled back roads from downtown Toccoa to the historic Tugaloo River Corridor, Lake Hartwell, and the foothills of South Carolina.

Check-ins open at 8 a.m. Saturday at the Methodist church.

Ride amenities include a long-sleeve event shirt, along with well-stocked SAG stops that will include beverages and snacks featuring homemade baked goods. There will also be entertainment, a post-ride meal, and door prizes.

Online registration is available at active.com.

The registration fee is $70, and an event shirt will be available while supplies last.

Only cash or check will be accepted if you register on the day of the ride.  There is also a discount available for groups of seven or more riders.

For more information on Tour de Tugaloo, you can go online to tourdetugaloo.com.