Welcome to the 3rd Annual London Strawberry Festival Bicycle Tour!  This tour was first organized in 2002 by Life Scout Chris Slagle of Boy Scout Troop 104 as part of his Eagle Scout project.   It is being continued this year by Boy Scoot Troop 104, along with the Friends of Madison County Parks and Trails.

The tour consists of three different routes:  a 21-mile, 54-mile, and a new 100-mile Century Ride option.  All rides will kick off between 6:30 and 8:00 am from the Prairie Grass Trail trailhead located behind the Madison County Senior Citizens Center at 280 West High Street in London.  The courses will wind through Madison, Clark, Fayette and Greene Counties, featuring flat to gently rolling terrain.

The 21-mile route will be solely on the newly completed Prairie Grass Trail, and will include one rest stop at the turn around point in South Charleston.  The 54-mile and 100-mile routes will include rest stops in Jamestown and South Charleston, and will also feature some mileage on the Prairie Grass Trail.

All riders will also have the option of riding the entire tour on the Prairie Grass Trail, of any distance you may choose.

The $10.00 pre-registration fee includes detailed tour maps, identification number (which must be displayed at all times), support services, food stops, and a membership to the Friends of Madison County Parks and Trails.  Food items provided at rest stops include granola bars, fresh fruit, water, and sports drinks such as PowerAde or Gatorade.  The 54-mile and 100-mile routes also pass through several small communities where facilities and items are available for your purchase.  The Friends of Madison County Parks and Trails will also have t-shirts available for purchase on the day of the tour for $15.00.

All pre-registrations must be received by Saturday, June 18, 2005.  We plan our tour by the number of pre-registrations received, so please help us out by signing up early.  We are sorry but refunds cannot be made if you are unable to ride after you have registered.  All registrations received after June 18, including the day of the tour will be $15.00.

How do I get there?   London is located in Central Ohio approximately 25 miles west of Columbus.  It is easily accessible from any area of Ohio.  From I-71 take exit 85 (St. Rt. 56).  Then go north on St. Rt. 56 into London (10 miles).  From I-70, you may take exit 79 (St. Rt. 42).  Then go south on St. Rt. 42 into London (8 miles).

As you enter the city of London, sign-in at the Prairie Grass Trail trailhead located behind the Madison County Senior Citizens Center at 280 West High Street.   (A local map to the Senior Center can be found here.)

After you complete the tour, there are many other activities you and your friends may take part in, along with the food and entertainment at the London Strawberry Festival.  The spectacular Cobra Sports Car Show, the world’s largest gathering of Cobra sports cars, will be taking place to raise funds for the Cystic Fibroses Foundation.  For more information on the Strawberry Festival, go to their web site at http://londonstrawberryfestival.com.  For updated information on our bike tour, visit our web site at www.fmcpt.com.