Tour de Nebraska bicycle tour returns

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By the Lincoln Journal Star

The 20th annual Tour de Nebraska bicycle ride will return to Southeast Nebraska on its 310-mile round trip journey, June 20-24.

About 175 cyclists are expected to participate in the five-day tour which will start in Syracuse. Overnight stops include Brownville, Pawnee City, Fairbury and Wilber.

“This will be a special tour in many ways. When we started Tour de Nebraska in 1988, we spent seven days in Southeast Nebraska with only 11 cyclists. We think it’s appropriate to return to the same area that was so hospitable to us then for our 20th annual tour,” said Susan Rodenburg, who organizes the tour with her husband, Rich. 

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Jan (left) and Dennis Allerheiligen take down a couple of oranges for quick energy on a roadside snack break June 25 in Inavale. The Allerheiligens rode a tandem bike in the Tour de Nebraska. (LJS file)

Jan (left) and Dennis Allerheiligen take down a couple of oranges for quick energy on a roadside snack break June 25 in Inavale. The Allerheiligens rode a tandem bike in the Tour de Nebraska. (LJS file)

Although a non-competitive event, the tour is a mental and physical challenge for cyclists of all ages. Participants have come from  Nebraska, California, Minnesota, Idaho, New Mexico, Illinois, Michigan, Nevada, Virginia Kansas, Missouri, South Dakota, Colorado, Iowa and Arizona. Many are repeat riders.

“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 said in a news release. “We have families, school teachers, busy executives and others who all share a passion for cycling and want to get off the beaten path.”

The tour provides 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 may sleep inside at high school gyms. The Rodenburgs help local communities along the route prepare for rest stops and overnight stays.

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,” she said.

Organizers also present daily spirit awards to build camaraderie among riders.

The $190 registration fee includes: T-shirt, daily maps and itineraries, handbook, meal and camping arrangements, fruit, kick-off breakfast, sag service, luggage transport and Saturday night’s traditional Czech meal at Wilber's Sokol Hall.

Registration information is available at www.tourdenebraska.com or by request to: Susan@TourdeNebraska.com or call 1-402-421-1401.