Cyclists will have a new opportunity to explore the scenic Piney Woods of Wood County this summer while helping support a longtime community tradition.
The Wood County Old Settlers Reunion will host its first-ever Tour de Pines bicycle tour fundraiser on Aug. 15. Proceeds from the event will help pay for the carnival at this year’s Old Settlers Reunion, which returns Oct. 31-Nov. 1 at Quitman City Park.
Organizers hope the inaugural cycling event will become a new tradition while providing critical financial support for the reunion’s family-friendly attractions.
The ride will begin at the Hainesville Baptist Church parking lot, 3365 FM 49 in Hainesville, with check-in opening at 6:30 a.m. and the tour starting at 7:30 a.m.
Participants can choose from three route options — 27, 40 or 62 miles — all traveling along paved roads through the pine forests and rural landscapes of central Wood County.
The 27-mile route will take riders from Hainesville through Pine Mills and the Lake Lydia area. The 40-mile route extends deeper into the wooded areas between Winnsboro and Quitman, while the 62-mile route continues through Winnsboro before returning to the starting point.
Registration is $45 for each route and is available through BikeReg. Online registration will remain open through the morning of the event.
In addition to rider registrations, organizers are seeking community sponsors to help support the fundraiser. Sponsorship opportunities include Gold Tour Sponsors for $500, Water Stop Sponsors for $300 and Route Sponsors for $200.
Gold Tour Sponsors will have their logos displayed on the back of participant T-shirts. Water Stop Sponsors will receive signage at refreshment stations along the route, and Route Sponsors will have signs placed at major turns and stops throughout the course.
Organizers said community support will be essential to the success of the event and the return of the carnival, one of the most anticipated attractions of the annual Old Settlers Reunion.
For more information or to register, visit the Old Settlers Reunion website or the Tour de Pines registration page on BikeReg. Additional information is also available by calling 903-394-8941.