Tour de Paris is under way

Posted on Jul 20, 2012 in Events by Jeff Parish

The 28th annual Tour de Paris is pedaling into Lamar County this weekend.

“Cyclists tell us that this is their favorite ride because of the people,” Tourism Director Becky Semple said, encouraging people to cheer the cyclists in as they arrive. “Come downtown at 7:45 a.m. and watch the rainbow of colors glide around the Plaza. The cyclists love the Boy Scouts standing at attention holding the American flag.”

The bicycle rally starts at 8 a.m. from Love Civic Center. There are five routes with staggered start times: 25K (15.5 miles), 35K (21.3 miles), 60K (37 miles), 90K (56 miles) and the 110K (68 miles).

“The 110 route was under construction last year, and this year it is in good shape,” Semple said.

The 25K route takes place on the Trail de Paris, while the others use various surface streets and highways.

Riders have access to rest stops every 5 to 10 miles. United States Army Recruiters have set up a new water stop this year. New rest stop sponsors include Turner Pipe Industries, Calvary Chapel Church and Critical Care Home Health.

All bikes must be in good working order, and riders are responsible for their own repairs. Cyclists are required to wear helmets and obey all traffic laws. They’re also encouraged to carry their own water bottles, pumps, tubes and tools.

Work never really stops on the Tour de Paris. The week after the event next year, organizers start making notes and looking at surveys from cyclists to continue to improve next year’s event.

The hospitality that the volunteers and sponsors show have helped make the event a staple of the Paris calender.

“I would say it is the volunteers that make this event so successful and people just keep coming year after year,” Semple said. “We are just so grateful to so many businesses that sponsor Tour de Paris as well as individuals that give up so much of their time to assist us.”

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