Tour de Tow Cycling Event

Take a ride on the cycling side See the natural side of the Bartow area from the seat of a bicycle during the annual Tour de Tow cycling event presented by Bartow Cycling Events and Road & Trail Bicycles on the third Saturday in September. Registration starts at 7 a.m., and the ride at 8 a.m. This annual bicycling event takes riders through scenic southern Polk County scenery. It's also an event that gives back to the community, giving away more than 130 bicycles so far to kids in need. Power Pedalers is an effort to cultivate a healthy lifestyle and a love of cycling in kids. The on-road cycling tour offers a 17-mile Family Fun Ride, $30 registration; Half Century Metric Ride (35 miles), $40 registration; and the Metric Century Ride (62 miles), $45 registration. For tandem riders, add $25; to register on the day of the event, add $5. Vehicle parking is in the Oaks Parking Lot, 395 South Central Ave., across from the Post Office, and a block south of the staging area, Front Page Brewing Company on South Florida Avenue.

Every route has a SAG vehicle following with drinks, snacks, tubes and a pump. Everyone will receive a ride map that will have a number on it for emergencies or problems. This cycling tour is suitable for a variety of skill levels. Rest stops will have plenty of fluids and refueling munchies. For more info call Trish Pfeiffer at 863-640-1024 or email lillycat36@aol.com.