Conway Bicycle Tour September 15

The Conway Interfaith Clinic and Conway Advocates for Bicycling will host the 2012 Conway Fall Classic Bicycle Tour on Saturday, Sept. 15.

This annual event, now in its fourth year, includes rides ranging from 28 miles to 62 miles (a metric century), and will leave from Conway’s First United Methodist Church, 1610 Prince St., at 8 a.m. A seven-mile family-friendly community ride will begin at 9 a.m.

Registration for all of the Conway Fall Classic rides is available online at www.bikereg.com. Entry fees are $35 for individuals and $50 for families and include a free t-shirt and lunch. Registration will also be available in-person from 2-5 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 14 at The Ride in Conway or beginning at 7 a.m. at First United Methodist Church on the day of the event.

The Conway Fall Classic draws more than 200 bicyclists and volunteers to Conway in support of these two local non-profit organizations.

During a post-ride lunch program, the 2012 Conway Bicycling Advocate of the Year will be announced. The award is designed to recognize community cyclists who take participate or take a leadership role in cycling activities, advocate for safe cycling and cycling infrastructure and encourage bicycling across the entire community.

Two bicycles, an Orbea road bike and a hybrid bicycle, will also be raffled following the ride. Single raffle tickets are $5 or five tickets may be purchased for $20. Raffle tickets can be purchased during regular business hours at The Ride in Conway or at the event.

The Conway Interfaith Clinic began in 2001 out of the concern of a small group from the First United Methodist Church in Conway over the healthcare situation in Faulkner County. This group grew by including interested citizens from other denominations and formed a working group to explore the creation of a health clinic. Their mission is to provide unmet, healthcare services for the uninsured of our area.

Conway Advocates for Bicycling (CAB) was established in 2009 to work in partnership with all friends of bicycling to promote bicycling in Conway and surrounding communities in Faulkner County. CAB has worked with the City of Conway to help Conway become an official Bicycle-Friendly Community (one of only three in Arkansas) as designated by the League of American Bicyclists. CAB’s mission is to encourage the development and use of bicycle facilities (bike paths, routes, lanes, trails, etc.); provide educational information for both cyclists and motorists and to defend the rights of bicyclists; provide bicycle safety training; and sponsor activities that provide more opportunities for Conway citizens to enjoy bicycling.

For information about the Conway Interfaith Clinic, visit http://conwayinterfaithclinic.org and for information about Conway Advocates for Bicycling, visit www.cycleconway.org. For questions about the Conway Fall Classic, call 501-932-0559 or email cic@conwayinterfaithclinic.org.