09/14/2006

Nearly 200 set for Tour de Leelanau

Men's, women's races lengthened

BY JEFF PEEK

jpeek@record-eagle.com

Record-Eagle file photo/Douglas Tesner
Cyclists ride into Cedar during the first Tour de Leelanau race last year.

LELAND — At a time when doping charges seem to gut-punch fans of elite cycling on an almost daily basis, Leelanau County has embraced the sport — town by town.

Nearly 200 riders from around the area and across the country will take part in the second Tour de Leelanau, a European-style road race, on Saturday morning.

"What makes this race different is that it's a point-to-point race throughout the county, so every community in Leelanau is a part of it," said race director Steve Brown. "Last year, the support was tremendous. The riders were floored by how great it was. The spectators made it fun.

"It's not like a lap race where they see the same things over and over," Brown said. "There's always something new."

That includes the length of the races. Last year, the men biked 78 miles, the women 52.

Brown hopes bigger is better this time around, as the men's course now measures 104 miles and the women's route is 66 miles.

A total of 158 men will begin in Leland at 10 a.m. and finish near Leelanau Sands Casino in Peshawbestown. And 25 women will start at The Homestead Resort's Beach Club at 11:40 a.m. and finish in Suttons Bay.

The races will not be divided into age divisions. They will be winner-take-all.

"We tried to keep it simple," Brown said.

Brown said both races will be "like a fast-moving parade," with Leelanau County Sheriff's Department vehicles in front and back of the pack. Motorists in those areas may be delayed by passing cyclists, but "only for five minutes or so," Brown said.

Close to 200 volunteers will be stationed at approximately 120 road junctions.

Defending men's champion Nick Reinstad of Madison, Wis., returns with his University of Wisconsin All-Stars — one of 21 men's teams competing.

Women's champ Mackenzie Woodring of Grand Rapids will also be back.

Two local teams — Brick Wheels (led by Derek Prechtl) and McLain Cycle (led by Jeff Koch) — will compete in the men's race.

Brown said the most popular viewing spots for spectators are on Tower Road, just east of Maple City, where there is a 12-percent incline; and at Inspiration Point, just above Big Glen Lake on County Road 616 (Burdickville Road).

The Tour de Leelanau is presented by Leelanau Sands Casino and is sanctioned by USA Cycling and held under permit by the United States Cycling Federation.

For more information call (231) 922-5926 or log onto www.tourdeleelanau.com.