Riding the Fourth Annual Tour de Floyd
~ the Following appeared in The Floyd Press newspaper on May 26, 2011
1. A group of Tour de Floyd cyclists in the Harvest Moon Parking lot last Saturday morning prepare to begin the 4th annual ride. The weather was warm and sunny for the 62.4 mile loop that stretches along the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway. The ride is a Town of Floyd event and fundraiser for the Floyd Rescue Squad, organized by local cyclist Paul LaCoste and supported by rest stops and support vehicles.
2. Future cyclist, Colden Doyle, balances on his father Michael’s bicycle seat. Michael came from Charlottsville with his son and wife Kathleen to participate in the ride, staying the weekend in a local B&B.
3. Sheriff’s deputy Chris Reeves stopped traffic at the stoplight, allowing cyclists turn onto 221 from Route 8.
4. The majority of riders shouted “thank you” to Deputy Reeves as they passed.
5. Floyd resident Dennis Ross waved to bystanders as he passed the courthouse.
6. A group of Tour de Floyd cyclists make their way up Franklin Pike. Floyd Countian Robert Shelor is pictured in front.
8. A rider on Franklin Pike.
9. Tony Nesbitt said he drove four hours from Stafford, Virginia only to get a flat tire in the first three miles of the ride. Fellow cyclist Greg Edwards from Fincastle stopped to aid Nesbitt. Edwards had his own flat tire just before stopping to help Nesbitt.
10. A Tour de Floyd cyclist on the Blue Ridge Parkway takes in the view of Buffalo Mountain.
~ See photos from the 2009 ride HERE.
May 27th, 2011 11:02 am
You must have been in and out of cars to get these photos!
May 27th, 2011 11:18 am
I was mostly on foot in town. Then I drove ahead of them to catch them on Franklin Pike and the Parkway. The last time I covered this event in 2009, I drove more and covered more of the loop: http://looseleafnotes.com/wp/2009/05/tour-de-floyd/ They skipped 2010 due to Parkway permit problems but are back on track now.
May 27th, 2011 11:00 pm
I’d learn to ride just to do this. What a great event.
May 30th, 2011 8:21 am
Who would ever think that they would get a flat tire?? Oh and the sheriff’s name is Chris Reeves also known as superman!