3rd annual Tour of the Oaks benefits elementary schools

Brittany Smith / Reporter

On Saturday, more than 500 people from the Elon’s Bicycle Club, Elon University and Alamance-Burlington schools gathered for the third annual Tour of the Oaks bicycle race. Tour of the Oaks is part of the Carolina Cup Criterion Races.

Proceeds from cyclist registration fees for the race will benefit Alamance-Burlington elementary schools, the D.A.R.E. program and the Alamance County Bike team for the Special Olympics.

“This year we raised the money to sponsor two schools,” said volunteer Teresa Matias.

To determine which schools receive the most money, 10,000 flyers were sent home with children from the schools inviting them to the race. The schools with the highest percentage of children attending the Tour receive the most funds and supplies. A total of $1,500 was donated to the first and second place schools, Matias said.

Nine races took place based on cycler’s ages and ability levels. The races held were a category five, category four, category three, a junior’s race, kid’s race, a women’s category four, a women’s open, a master’s 40 plus category four and five, a master’s 40 plus category one, two and three, master’s 50 plus, and a pro category one, two and three race.

The Tour of the Oaks start and finish line was located at the Acorn Inn on Haggard Avenue. After biking down Haggard Avenue, cyclists continued on the course by making a left on Manning Avenue, a left on West College Avenue, a left on Williamson Avenue, and a left on Haggard again to end back at the Acorn Inn.

The four roads were chosen because they are flat and wide, making them ideal for a large bike race.

According to Matias, the Tour of the Oaks program was created because of a love of cycling and a passion for racing. The program, however, took a few years to get started. It had to acquire both local police and the Department of Transportation approval since four roads were being closed for the race. United States Cycling and Department of Transportation permits also had to be acquired before the race could occur.

“I volunteer for the Tour of the Oaks program because it gives me perspective,” said Matias. “It allows me to donate money to the public where it needs it and to educate kids about cycling. Tour of the Oaks gets kids outside to do healthy activities.”

Contact Brittany Smith at pendulum@elon.edu or 278-7247.

Will Campbell / Photographer

More than 500 people participated in the third annual Tour of the Oaks bicycle race on Saturday. Proceeds from the race will benefit elementary schools. There were nine bicycle races, based on age and ability. Cyclists started and finished the race at the Acorn Inn on Haggard Avenue.