Tour de Nebraska plans Cambridge stop

Wednesday, January 6, 2010

LINCOLN -- The 23rd annual 5-day Tour de Nebraska bicycle ride will head to south central Nebraska on its 300-mile round trip journey, June 23-27, 2010. Approximately 200 cyclists will leave Clay Center on Wednesday, June 23 and camp overnight in Minden, Cambridge, Alma and Red Cloud.

"We love this area of the state-it offers friendly people, history and beautiful countryside which combine to make an excellent experience for our cyclists," says Susan Larson Rodenburg, who organizes the tour with her husband, Rich.

The noncompetitive circle tour will start and end this year in Clay Center, 95 miles west of Lincoln. It will then proceed to overnight host communities of Minden (Wednesday, 6/23), Cambridge (Thursday, 6/24), Alma (Friday, 6/25) and Red Cloud (Saturday, 6/26), and return to Clay Center on Sunday, June 27.

Tour de Nebraska bicycle adventure is a mental and physical challenge for cyclists of all ages. Participants come from across Nebraska and other states, including California, Minnesota, Idaho, New Mexico, Illinois, Michigan, Nevada, Virginia Kansas, Missouri, South Dakota, Colorado, Iowa and Arizona. It's grown from 11 cyclists to 200 over the years.

"Our cyclists tell us they like the size of Tour de Nebraska because it's big enough to meet some new people, but small enough not to

overwhelm the communities we visit," Susan Rodenburg says. "We have

families, school teachers, busy executives and others who all share a

passion for cycling and want to get off the beaten path. They can ride all

day at their own speed so they can take full advantage of sightseeing and

food in the small communities along the way. By the time the tour ends, they

are all bonded in one way or another."

Tour de Nebraska arranges meals, rest stops, daily maps, itineraries,

luggage/gear transfers, emergency sag support on the highway, daily fruit

and water. Riders camp at city parks or sleep inside at high school

gymnasiums. The Rodenburgs help local communities along the route prepare for rest stops and overnight stays.

"We encourage the communities to show what they have to offer and to

highlight their community spirit, history and friendliness - all unique to

Nebraska," she says. "We work closely with the local organizers to assist

them in providing everything we need. Most find that hosting the riders is

not only fun but a great way to bring new revenue to the area. It's always

exciting to find out what they have planned for us."

The favorite rest stop and overnight host towns chosen by the riders receive cash awards. "It's a small token of thanks for their efforts," Rodenburg

says.

Organizers also present daily spirit awards (The Sophie Trophy) to build

camaraderie among riders. The coveted Tour de Nebraska Team Spirit Award is given annually during the last evening on of the tour to a deserving

individual who has shown a great amount of spirit, humor and joy while

facing the challenges of the tour.

Tour de Nebraska is 5 days instead of 7 like many other tours, making it

perfect for first-time tourists or those with limited vacation schedules.

There are many repeat riders. "It's like a family reunion on wheels," Rodenburg says.

The $225 registration fee includes: TDN t-shirt, daily maps and itineraries,

TDN handbook, meal and camping arrangements, fruit, kick-off breakfast, sag service, luggage transport and Saturday night's Tour de Nebraska Awards

dinner. Registration information is available at: www.TourdeNebraska.com or by request to: Susan@TourdeNebraska.com, 402-421-1401.

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