If you’re not into long distance running, perhaps you might like to go on a long bike ride around town? If so, you will be glad to hear that the Tour de Houston is coming back after a year’s absence. From the press release:
Mayor Annise Parker and Senator Rodney Ellis will ride along with participants in the 2012 Tour de Houston Presented by Apache Corporation. Cyclists will line up at City Hall on Sunday, March 18, as the bike ride kicks off to benefit the city’s reforestation efforts managed by the Houston Parks and Recreation Department. The route will take riders on a journey through Houston’s historic East End, the Ship Channel and Brady’s Landing, Ellington Airport, Johnson Space Center to Clear Lake and back to City Hall.
“Through a public and private partnership with Apache Corporation we are able to restore this annual Houston tradition to our civic celebration program,” said Mayor Annise Parker. “Thanks to Apache Corporation, participants will continue to enjoy the city’s premier recreational biking event while replenishing the trees lost to the tragic drought of 2011.”
“Apache is excited to be the title sponsor of Tour de Houston, a great outdoor event for the city, and we hope to see a record turnout,” said Roger Plank, Apache’s president and chief corporate officer. “We are particularly pleased that the proceeds of this event will be used to help restore Houston’s parks with new trees, replacing some of those lost during the terrible 2011 drought.
“Over the past six years, Apache has donated more than 100,000 trees to Houston’s parks as part of our broader commitment to plant 3 million trees across the United States,” Plank said.
“This is not only a fun and exciting event, but also encourages Houstonians to embrace environmentally-friendly transportation and a healthy lifestyle while showing riders the unique attributes of our city,” said Senator Rodney Ellis.
With three distance options, the Tour de Houston Presented by Apache Corporation is the perfect outdoor event for all cyclist levels, from the leisure rider to cycling competitors, and is a recommended BP MS150 training ride. The distance options include a 60-mile route starting at 7 a.m., a 40-mile route at 7:30 a.m. and a 20-mile route at 8 a.m. Beginning and ending at City Hall, the 2012 event is expected to draw 5,000 participants. Along the route, riders will find fully stocked rest stops, mechanical support provided by Sun & Ski Sports, police and medical support. The ride will culminate with a post-ride party for participants and volunteers with music and lunch for all registrants at City Hall provided by Michelob Ultra and My Fit Foods. All riders who register by March 10 will receive a personalized bib; all registrants will receive a Tour de Houston Presented by Apache Corporation t-shirt.
Advance registration begins Jan. 12 and ends Feb. 17 at midnight and is $30 per adult rider. Registration from Feb. 18 to March 10 (ending at midnight) is $35 per adult. Registration after March 10 including the day of the ride is $40 per adult. Children 12 and under are $20 each. More details including packet pick-up locations and schedules for pre-registered riders can be found at www.houstonspecialevents.org.
Sounds like fun. Sign up while you can, and enjoy the ride.
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