Photo provided by: Derek Red (File)
Cyclists participate in the 2023 Wheeling Heritage Trail Bicycle Tour. The 2024 tour will take place on Sunday, May 26, as part of the Ogden Newspaper Wellness Weekend sponsored by WVU Medicine.
WHEELING — When the Wheeling Heritage Trail Bike Tour returned last year on Sunday during the Ogden Newspaper Wellness Weekend hosted by WVU Medicine, it was welcomed with open arms by cyclists of all skill levels. One of the reasons is that this tour had room for people of all skill levels.
Tour coordinator Jim Adams said last year’s event had the highest attendance in years. Organizers are hoping for even better numbers this year as tours resume at 7 a.m. on Sunday, May 26, from Wheeling’s waterfront.
“Ohio Valley Trail Partners is grateful to partner with Ogden Newspapers Wellness Weekend,” Adams said. “This is also a great part of the event. Runners and non-walkers – cyclists – can also participate and enjoy the wellness weekend, so it’s a lot of fun.”
Adams said the tour offers something for every type of cyclist, as shown by the three distances you can ride. There are 15km, 50km, and 100km courses, so beginners, families, intermediates, and serious cyclists alike can enjoy the challenge.
The 100km ride begins with takeoff at 7:30am. This trail takes riders to Bethany and stops at Bethany College. This is the most difficult course around the hilly area.
Adams said the group is also the most populous group today.
“This brings in the most people from outside the area,” he said.
The 50-kilometre course, which starts at 8 a.m., follows the Ohio River, detouring around the Ohio and Brooke county lines and turning around. Starting at 9 a.m., this 15-kilometre course sends cyclists south on the trail, into South Wheeling, and back. There will be refreshments and water stations along the 50km and 100km courses.
“This is kind of an intergenerational event,” Adams said. “So you see young kids coming out and riding, and you see retired people coming out and riding.So families can join in, but even solo riders can feel free to join in. It’s so much fun because I can do it.
“That’s what we really enjoy,” he added. “I think what people love is the community experience.”
All participants must wear a helmet, and participants under 18 must be accompanied by a registered adult. Bike tours run rain or shine, and all participants will enjoy a post-ride lunch. Lunch is included in the registration fee.
Bike tours are scheduled to allow participants to enjoy the rest of the day, including the Health Plan-sponsored Tough as Nails Urban Challenge, which begins May 26 at noon. Tour and Tough as Nails are two of his three outings. A piece of the Ultra His Urban His Challenge sponsored by Bordas & Bordas. The third event is the Ogden Newspaper Half Marathon Classic, which will be held on Saturday morning, May 25th.
Even if cycling tour participants only want to enjoy cycling, there is plenty to enjoy on the day. A free concert featuring The Vindies and Billy The Kid and The Regulators will be held on May 26th, with The Vindies performing at 1:30 p.m. and Billy The Kid and The Regulators will take the stage at 3:30 p.m.
“It’s great to have the Wheeling Heritage Trail Bicycle Tour back on Sunday during the Ogden Newspapers Wellness Weekend presented by WVU Medicine,” said Perry Naldo, general manager of the Intelligencer and Wheeling News Register. Ta. “This is a very popular weekend event, as evidenced by the number of participants last year.This year’s Tour is a great opportunity for people of all ages to enjoy a full day of exercise. , sports veterans will enjoy it as well.”
Funds raised by the Wheeling Heritage Trail Bike Tour support the expansion and care of the Wheeling Heritage Trail, trail projects, trail facilities, and continued advocacy for bicycle and pedestrian connections in local communities. For more information about the race route, please call Quick Service Bicycle Shop at 740-635-3700 or email Tour@quickservicecycle.com. For general tour questions, please email OVtrailpartners@gmail.com or call 304-715-BIKE.
Adams said cyclists are encouraged to pre-register. Registration can be done at his ogdenwellnessweekend.com.
