The State from Columbia, South Carolina • D8

D8 Thursday, May 28, 2015 gocolumbia.com WHAT: Tour De Cure. WHERE: Start and finish lines at Robert Mills House, 1615 Blanding St. WHEN: Saturday, May 30. 100-mile ride starts at 7:30 a.m., 65-mile starts at 8:30 a.m., 35 mile starts at 9:30 a.m., 15-mile starts at 10:30 a.m., and 5-mile Ride starts at 11:30 a.m. Midlands cyclists can ride anywhere from 1 mile to 100 miles in Tour de Cure, benefitting the American Diabetes Association.

Nearly 800 riders are expected to travel courses around downtown Columbia and stretching into Hopkins and Eastover. Casual riders can take a 5-mile tour around historic houses with Mayor Steve Benjamin on the Historic City of Columbia Family Fun Ride, and kids can take a 1-mile loop downtown. More serious cyclists can take routes of 15, 35, 65 and 100 miles. These longer routes pass Williams-Brice Stadium and Congaree National Park. All the long routes have road closures or lane designations and city and county personnel to ensure rider safety.

There are rest stops every 10 to 12 miles on these routes, along with support and gear vehicles that can help riders along the way. The fundraising event requires participants to raise $200, which can be done through online fundraising profiles, and pay a $15 registration fee. However, families can ride the shorter routes, including the 1- and 5-mile tracks, for free with the promotional code FAMILY at diabetes.org. THE VIBE Tour de Cure is designed to be for riders of all skill levels, from the kids just gotten their training wheels off to cyclists who rarely take off those Spandex bike shorts. The longer trails show off some of the less beaten paths in Richland County, and the short ones showcase historic houses.

After the biking, participants can enjoy catered lunch from Blue Marlin, and Firehouse Subs. Kids can play in bounce houses and get their faces painted, and adults will enjoy local vendors at the health and wellness pavilion. Cyclists can also participate in a bicycle safety clinic, complete with helmet checks and an obstacle course. THE VERDICT The Tour de Cure is an opportunity to explore Columbia and Richland County on your bike while raising money for the American Diabetes Association. a good opportunity for a group outing; multiple corporate groups and cycling clubs have formed teams to ride together, event manager Christina Bickley said.

Amanda C. Coyne BE THERE TOUR DE CURE GO OUT.