For more than a decade, cyclists have been participating in Tour de Carmel, an annual ride through the city. This year’s event, scheduled for Saturday Sept. 17, will be the 12th running.
Carmel City Council President Ron Carter helped come up with the idea more than a decade ago and the event has continued to grow.
“It’s so large now that the only place we can have it at is the Monon Community Center because of the parking,” Carmel Clay Parks Director Mark Westermeier said.
A 20-mile ride begins at 8 a.m. and ends at 11 a.m. A 10-mile ride is from 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. A kids’ 5K is from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. There are also adaptive program teams for those with disabilities.
Westermeier said the event has always been a good way to promote the city. There will be live music and vendors with goodies to give away. There’s a $10 per person registration fee, and those that register on or before Aug. 20 receive a goodie bag and T-shirt.
“Our original design is to get families out and to see Carmel on a bicycle,” Westermeier said. “We have had a number of people who fell in love with the community and decided to move here as a result of experiencing Carmel on bike rides.”
