One of the food and drink stops for the Tour des Lakes bike ride last year was in Winona Lake. (Photo provided)

Participation continues to grow for the annual Liberty Bike Ride, also known as Tour des Lakes. Registration is from 7 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. Saturday, July 13, at Syracuse Community Center where the starting point of the ride will be located.

Tour des Lakes has been a work in progress. Hosted by Syracuse-Wawasee Chamber of Commerce, Chautauqua-Wawasee, Syracuse Rotary Club, Wawasee Kiwanis Club and Syracuse Parks Department, only a couple of years ago the volunteer base was low, the route was poorly marked and there were inadequate SAG stops. But since then the volunteer base has grown and the ride has been better marketed. Participation numbers for this year’s race are expected to triple from just two years ago.

Tour des Lakes includes the beautiful scenery around several lakes such as Syracuse, Wawasee, Papakeechie, Webster, Tippecanoe and others. Tour rides are 25K, 50K and 100K. Along the way are SAG stops for a quick snack and/or drink. A free family fun ride around Syracuse Lake is five miles in length.

Riders choosing the 100K route must depart by 10 a.m. All riders are asked to be off the routes by 4 p.m. The ride will be held rain or shine.

Cost of the ride is $30 per person and the maximum fee for families (parents and children only please) is $50. Cost includes a map of the route, emergency numbers, SAG stops and lunch at the conclusion of the ride. Free T-shirt to the first 50 who register.

For those registering after July 1, lunch will not be included after the ride.
The ultimate goal is to promote bicycling as an alternative transportation. Bicycling lessens the dependence on oil, increases physical activity, lessens the waistline, reduces stress and it is scalable to match all income and skill levels. It also creates awareness of current and proposed bicycle routes and events.