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Chamber to introduce bike race, ‘Tour de Tuck Challenge,’ in August
Jackson County’s Chamber of Commerce invites all riders from the region to join in on the inaugural “Tour de Tuck Bike Challenge.”
The event will be held Saturday, Aug. 19, with the actual ride beginning at 7:30 a.m.
Event planners say they hope the race will become a cycling tradition.
“This will be one of the most beautiful and toughest rides you will find,” event organizers say.
The ride traverses Jackson County during a 102-mile ride at elevations that range from around 2,000 feet above sea level to more than 6,000 feet atop the Parkway. There is also a shorter 60-mile route. Maps and more information can be found at www.TourdeTuck.com.
Event Director Greg Duff said he expects the longer ride to attract the most cyclists.
“It’s fierce and challenging. You’ve got to be an accomplished rider who is used to long ascents and also experienced enough to handle fast descents, which will be more than 40 mph in certain places,” says Duff. “In terms of beauty, I don’t think there’s a ride that can surpass this. We have 40 miles of Blue Ridge Parkway, the Balsam Mountains and the Tuckaseigee River valley. It is quite scenic.”
The ride will begin in Sylva at First Methodist Church and travel west to the Cherokee Indian Reservation. When leaving Cherokee, riders will take the Blue Ridge Parkway and ride east. At Balsam Gap, those choosing the “Metric Century” will exit the Parkway to ride back to Sylva.
Those continuing will climb Richland Balsam and exit the Parkway onto N.C. 215 at Beech Gap. Riders will then progress through Jackson County’s Canada community on their way to Tuckasegee and Cullowhee before arriving back in Sylva.
Along the route, six aid stations will be set up. Three will have water, fruit, gels and electrolytes and rest rooms. The others will have only water. Vehicles will be stationed along each section to assist riders if needed.
Cost is $40 on or before Aug. 5, or $45 after Aug. 6.
“We want to attract people from all over the Southeast,” says Duff. “There is a cap of 200 riders this year, and we hope in future years it will entice more people to come to Jackson County and ride, and not just for the Tour de Tuck.”
Participants will receive a T-shirt, a goody bag with discounts to local restaurants and attractions, and post-ride food.
For information, visit www.mountainlovers.com or call 1-800-962-1911.
For more information about the event in general, call Greg Duff at 452-5572.
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