'Tour' Will Cycle Through Long Valley Sunday

In its third annual event, the Tour de Long Valley is going is expected to be bigger and better than ever, with three courses for riders to choose from and a potential turnout of 600 participants.

Organized by the to raise awareness about bicycle safety, the proceeds will benefit the , Washington Township Police Benevolence Association and the organization itself.

In 2011, the Tour offered two courses for riders to choose from; a 20-mile, mostly flat route for novice riders, and a 40-mile, harder terrain course for more experienced cyclists.

Last year’s , riders were turned away because the cap of before the start of the ride.

“We were hoping for 300 (riders) last year, not really expecting it,” said Michael Savino, chairman of the David D. Hammar Foundation and organizer of the Tour. “So when we reached that number, we were really excited, and figured we’d raise it for this year.”

Savino said the event is capped at 600 participants in 2012, and online registration–which opened in February–has more than 400 riders already signed up.

“The final week of registration is usually the busiest, and the long-term weather forecast looks really good so far,” Savino said. “We don’t want to have to turn any one away on the day of, so hopefully registration can fill up before (the event).”

This year’s event will offer three courses: 20- and 40-mile rides as well as a Metric Century course that takes riders 62 miles throughout Washington Township and surrounding areas.

Some 90 volunteers will be on hand assisting in the event, Savino said, and police officers from Washington Township, Mansfield Township, Lebanon Township and Tewksbury will coordinate traffic along the course routes.

Registration varies from $30 to $40, depending on the rider’s course choice. Riders will leave Rock Spring Park between 8:30 and 10:30 a.m. All course finishers will receive die-cast awards for their participation, Savino said.

In addition to the ride, a breakfast and post-ride meal will be provided for participants. The event is rain or shine, and will end with a donation ceremony for the local PBA and First Aid Squad.

To learn more about the event or to register, visit tourdelongvalley.com.

Long Valley Patch is a sponsor for this event.