News

Tour d'Apple is on, with fewer riders, staggered start

By Lightning Reports, Published: July 13, 2020

Unlike so many canceled events, the Tour d’Apple will take off on Labor Day, with a reduced field of riders, staggered start times and face masks at rest stops.

Riders will pedal off from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. from Blue Ridge Community College in Flat Rock. Tour d’Apple invites cyclists to ride from 25 to 100 miles on four scenic routes around the apple orchards and mountains of Henderson County.
Over the past few months, the Hendersonville Four Seasons Rotary Club and iDaph Events have put together event safety plans for the event to move forward in a new format to ensure social distancing measures recommended by the CDC.
“We will aim to have a ‘contactless’ event to provide a safe event for all,” says Tour Ride Director Barry Macdonald.
To help with social distancing, this year's ride is limited to 350 participants. All staff/volunteers will be required to wear a face covering during the event. Masks will be provided to volunteers if necessary. Participants must wear a face covering (the free TDA buff meets this requirement) until the event starts, at all rest stops, and after they finish the event.
Participants will not be permitted to form in groups. They must maintain 6 foot distancing while in the start/finish area, in the event hub and at all rest stops.
Custom Tour d’Apple buffs will be given to all 350 participants to register. The deadline to register and receive a free buff is Aug. 15.
An optional Virtual event experience is being offered so riders can participate in this cycling event from anywhere. Ride from your home, the park, or anywhere else you choose and submit your results online.
The packet, numbered bib and swag for this event can be shipped before the ride for $10, an option that is available when you register on line. Deadline to have packets mailed is Aug. 15. A drive-thru packet pick-up will take place 1-4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 6, at the Blue Ridge Community College parking lot. Because of public health guidelines, there will be no packet pickup or registration the day of the ride.
Cyclists who register by Aug. 14 will receive a free Tour d’Apple T-shirt. After that, shirts will be available on a limited basis for an additional $10. For questions please email tourdapple@gmail.com. For updates visit http://tourdapple.com/.