Sponsors add routes to bicycling event

Bicycle riders can double their fun at the sixth annual Cyclists Circle because the event's sponsor, the Rotary Club of Columbia County West, has added a second day of riding.

"It has always been affiliated with the Oliver Hardy Festival," said David Titus, the club's secretary and an event organizer. "We have expanded it this year to a two-day ride."

Harlem's annual Oliver Hardy Festival will be Oct. 4.

The first day of riding for the cycling event will be Oct. 4-5 and includes routes through Columbia County planned for cyclists of varying abilities.

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Experienced riders can pick a 45- or 65-mile course through the western and more historic fringes of the county over mildly challenging terrain. The 10- or 20-mile novice course winds through scenic rural areas of the county.

The new addition - a second ride Sunday - will be 30- and 65-mile loops.

"We wanted to take it to the next level this year. There are some other rides in the state that are very well subscribed to," Titus said. "A lot of bike people look for two-day events on a weekend. We decided to expand ours to include both days."

Camping is available at Harlem High School, where the rides begin and end.

An entry fee of $15 per adult covers the Saturday ride followed by a spaghetti supper and door prize drawings, including a raffle for a mountain bike. Children aged 12 and under can ride for $10. For two days of rides, the entry fee is $25.

All riders must wear helmets, and late registration after Sept. 26 increases the daily entry fee to $20 for adults and $15 for children.

Last year's ride raised $3,000. The ride is the main fund-raiser for the Rotary Club's Johns Award, named after former Grovetown Elementary School principal Otis Johns. it is presented to fifth- through eighth-graders for good citizenship. A scholarship check, certificate and Rotary medallion are awarded to each pupil, and each school receives a plaque to display the names of winners, Titus said.

About 80 cyclists rode in last year's one-day ride, but Titus said he hopes that number will grow to several hundred.

"We hope to expand it quite a bit and allow us to do more things for the community," he said.

For more information or to register, call Titus at 836-8821 or visit www.active.com or www.rotaryccw.org.