Amish Country Bike Tour takes 25th anniversary ride Sept. 10

Pedaling through scenic back roads in tandem with Amish buggies, surrounded by farm fields dotted with Amish farmers steering horse-drawn farm implements to harvest fall crops, is part of the scenery that makes Delaware's Amish Country Bike Tour a memorable ride for cyclists. This year's tour, the event's 25th anniversary, is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 10.

The ride begins on Legislative Mall in the heart of Delaware's historic capital city, Dover. After cycling by beautifully manicured city parks and a host of historic buildings, cyclists will journey throughout Kent County during a beautiful time of year.

"There's a reason why the Amish Country Bike Tour is Delaware's longest-running and perhaps most popular bike tour," said Lorraine Dion, event coordinator. "It's not a race, so cyclists can go at their own pace, plus there are five loops from 15 miles to 100 miles including a century loop that is suitable for riders of all ages and abilities."

Every September for the past 25 years, cyclists from all over the country have arrived in Dover to participate in this event. Many refer to the Amish Country Bike Tour as their warm-up ride for a series of fall cycling events. Others come for a pleasant weekend getaway, and some come just for the locally baked pies that are served at the Amish schoolhouse.

"This event is not like other cycling events in our area where you are pedaling down a major highway or a city street," said Dion. "These back roads offer a glimpse into the lives of our Amish neighbors, and that is not something people see every day from your vantage point on the seat of a bicycle."

Delaware's Amish countryside features several small businesses run by the Amish including a quilt shop, furniture shop and greenhouses, nestled among dozens of neatly painted white farms without electric lines or phone wires, since Delaware's Amish do not use electricity because of religious beliefs.

"Cyclists are often greeted by Amish children who sit on roadside fences and wave as our riders go by," Dion said. "And there's a lot more to see such as country churches, small-town life and locally run businesses including Byler's Country Store, and Fifer Orchards and Country Store."

Byler's is well known throughout the region as a resource for chefs, bakers and candy-makers because it features hundreds of items in bulk. Byler's is a sponsor of the Amish Country Bike Tour, providing nearly 200 apple, cherry and blueberry pies made fresh for the tour. Proceeds benefit the Central Delaware YMCA, three local churches and the Amish schoolhouse education program.

Cyclists who register by Friday, Aug. 26, can participate for $35; after Aug. 26 and day-of registration is $50 for adults. Registration includes full-color map, four food stops, after-tour catered barbecue picnic and a number of freebies provided by bike tour sponsors. Sponsors include Delaware State News, Byler's Country Store, Delaware Sports Commission, Redner's Warehouse Markets, Pepsi, Playtex, Berry Van Lines, Fifer Orchards and Country Store, Joint Juice, Raw Revolution and Road ID.

To register or for more information, call Kent County Tourism at 800-233-5368 or go to www.amishcountrybiketour.com.