A record number of 500 cyclists explored Lebanon County in the 2021 Tour de Lebanon Valley! Participants chose from 62, 30 or 6-mile routes, with the majority of participants choosing the metric century (62 miles) this year. All routes provided local and out-of-town guests with a tour of the scenic landscapes of the Lebanon Valley, including farmlands, streams and historical sites.
The 6-mile roundtrip family ride on the Rail Trail was also very popular at the event. “Our family participants received free passes to the Cornwall Iron Furnace,” shared Laurie Crawford, executive director of the Lebanon Valley Conservancy and committee member for the event. “We’re so happy that families could spend some time outside together and enjoy the history and natural spaces that we have locally. When the kids finished the ride, we had fun games and activities for them, courtesy of Making a Difference.”
All riders began their journey at the Lebanon Valley Expo Center, with varied start times depending on their chosen route. “We expected more participants this year as the popularity of biking increased during the pandemic,” shared Nikki Maurer, executive director of the Community Health Council of Lebanon County and chair of the event. “We had a beautiful day for the event and we were thrilled to have so many new riders join us!”
Tour de Lebanon Valley was presented by The Lebanon Valley Bicycle Coalition, The Lebanon Valley Conservancy and the Community Health Council of Lebanon County, with support from Visit Lebanon Valley. JBT Bank was the presenting sponsor and water stations were hosted by Cornwall Manor, APR Supply and WellSpan. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Community Health Council of Lebanon County, the Lebanon Valley Bicycle Coalition, and the Lebanon Valley Conservancy and its programming in outdoor recreation.
Photos from Tour de Lebanon Valley can be found on the Conservancy’s facebook page at www.facebook.com/lebanonvalleyconservancy. The 2022 Tour de Lebanon Valley is slated for June 11, 2022.
About the Lebanon Valley Conservancy
The Lebanon Valley Conservancy works to protect the cultural, historical and environmental resources of the region. The Conservancy is committed to collaborating with the community to ensure equitable access to all of these resources for the benefit of present and future generations. To learn more, donate or volunteer, visit www.TLVC.org.
About the Community Health Council of Lebanon County
The Community Health Council of Lebanon County was established in 1994, bringing together stakeholders from across the community to discuss common health goals and collaborative opportunities. The Community Health Council works together to develop and mobilize resources to enhance the health of Lebanon County. For additional information, call 717.270.7935 or visit www.communityhealthcouncil.com.
About The Lebanon Valley Bicycle Coalition
The Lebanon Valley Bicycle Coalition is a 501c-3 organization, founded in 2008, to make the Lebanon Valley region of Pennsylvania a better, safer place to bicycle. The Coalition works with elected officials and municipal, county and state governments, to make certain that new road projects or redesigns consider the needs of bicyclists. They want cyclists to have the necessary skills to be able to bicycle for their transportation, recreation and health. They offer bike rides because they enjoy cycling together. Details on membership and volunteer opportunities can be found at www.bikelebanon.org.