MOUNT PLEASANT — The largest competitive road cycling series in the U.S., for the first time, will be speeding into Mount Pleasant Wednesday. Headlining the day of races will be a barrier-breaking Olympian.
On day seven of the 11-day “Tour of America’s Dairyland” event, nine races in Mount Pleasant will begin at 10 a.m. Wednesday. The final race will begin at 2:40 p.m.
Some of the nation’s best cyclists will race around Braun Road, 105th Street, Highway KR and Wisconn Valley Way, a route the Mount Pleasant Tourism Commission describes as “perfect for both racers and spectators.”
All races are free to spectate.
The visual centerpiece of the Foxconn campus in Mount Pleasant is the 100-feet tall High-Performance Computing Data Center Globe, shown here on Feb. 25, 2021.
In addition to professional cyclists, there will also be competitions in the amateur, master and junior categories, with some racers as young as 9 years old.
The Olympian scheduled to compete is Jennifer Valente, who won gold in the omnium at the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics, which were held in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. An omnium is a multi-part race often considered the cycling world’s equivalent of track and field’s decathlon or heptathlon.
Valente’s Olympic glory came in stupefying fashion, having crashed in the final round of the omnium but getting back on the bike and maintaining a lead to win gold. She became the first American woman to win gold in Olympic track cycling.
The Mount Pleasant Tourism Commission invited the public to “Bring your family, your bike enthusiast friends, or just yourself to the course on June 22. There will be food trucks, music and the thrill of bike races all day.”
Family travel 5: Vacation spots to explore by bike
Cycle near Spokane, Washington
Go with a guide or chart your own course as you explore the rail-trails of eastern Washington; Coeur d’Alene, Idaho; and on to the Montana border. Level, paved and pristine pathways make for stress-free but scenic family cycling. Roll along the famous Route of the Hiawatha and the Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes, two of the Rail-to-Trail Conservancy’s Hall of Fame trails. Up the adventure quotient by mixing in a day kayaking, rafting or fishing on local rivers. Stop by a hot spring or consider a side hike.
For more: https://wilderness-voyageurs.com/adventures/idaho-coeur-dalene-bike-tour/ ; www.Visitidaho.org
Family Biking in Italy
Savor gelato after cycling past grazing sheep and charming stone houses. Meet a four-legged truffle detective. Look forward to olive oil, fine wine and feasting on homemade pizza during your bike trip through Tuscany. Cruise past vineyards, cypress trees and iconic landmarks that make working your way up to the scenic hill towns worth every rotation. Have a gourmet picnic on a working farm. Visit picturesque villages, take watercolor lessons and steep yourselves in Italian art history.
For more: www.backroads.com
Bike Block Island, Rhode Island
Relish ocean views, wildlife-filled salt ponds and the laid-back vibe of this scenic wonder that is a part of America’s smallest state. Mostly flat, smooth, paved roads make it possible for two-wheeling tourists to enjoy a wonderland the Nature Conservancy deems one of the “last great places” in the Western Hemisphere. Breathtaking views of Narragansett Bay, dotted with sailboats, add to the experience. You’ll also enjoy fresh seafood, beach walks and learning about the local history.
For more: www.greatfreedomadventures.com; www.VisitRhodeisland.com
Ride Hut to Hut in Utah
For a grand family adventure, consider a backcountry mountain biking experience through Utah’s Color Country. The new Aquarius Trail Hut System offers five furnished huts — with fully stocked kitchens and other amenities — strategically places along the 190-mile route. Riders will roll from the peak of Brian Head, through Panguitch, Hatch and Bryce, past hidden lakes and spectacular vistas, down to the beautiful town of Escalante. E-bikes are allowed at each hut so family members of mixed abilities can enjoy the same adventure.
For more: https://aquariustrail.com
Explore the Olympic Peninsula
Cycle the Olympic Discovery Trail, summit Hurricane Hill, spot gray whales and orcas, visit Port Angeles and La Push, and explore the Hoh Rain Forest during a six-day road biking tour of Washington’s Olympic Peninsula. In this majestic corner of Washington state, you’ll pedal through diverse terrain that includes temperate rain forests, scenic coastlines and sparkling lakes. Available July through September.
For more: www.EscapeAdventures.com; https://www.stateofwatourism.com
