The Tour de Tellico charity bicycle ride and walking event held on Saturday, June 3 was an unqualified success says the organizers, sponsors, and participants. The event, which involved the communities of both Tellico Village and Tellico Plains, was the first annual event with more to come in the future.
“After the ride, several people came up to me and said that it was one of the best rides they had ever participated in,” said First Baptist Church of Tellico Village, pastor Charlie Barnard, who dreamed up the event originally. “Everything ran smoothly and everybody was very pleased. We’re already making plans for next year and many riders have said they’ll be back.”
The event consisted of two bicycle rides: a 31-mile ride and a 62-mile ride, plus a fitness walk around Tellico Plains. Ninety-two cyclists and 59 walkers participated in the ride/walk event.
“The merchants in Tellico Plains got into the spirit of the event by providing walkers with a scavenger hunt,” said Barnard. “It was really a fun time.”
The event was kicked off with a Friday night banquet at the Tellico West Conference at the Grand Vista Resort in Vonore. One hundred and sixty people attended the dinner, at which former Olympians Missy Kane and Dick Davies spoke. Their united message was one of keeping active and healthy. They encouraged the audience to exercise and have fun while they do.
“Missy inspired and challenged us to be more health and fitness conscious,” said Barnard, “and to not just stop with the ride, but to continue with the momentum started here.”
Davies, a member of the 1964 gold medal winning U.S. Olympic basketball team, gave a commemorative Olympic watch to the oldest rider to participate in the Tellico Event. That rider, Judy Pardue, completed the 31-mile leg. She is 72.
Another rider, Mike Kitchens, celebrated his 61st birthday by riding the 62-mile stretch.
Barnard’s day didn’t quite go as planned. His participation in the ride was cut short when he experienced both a flat tire and broken seat.
“It worked out okay, though,” said Barnard. “I was then able to greet the riders as they made it to the finish line in Tellico Plains.”
The proceeds from the ride, which amounted to approximately $8,000, will go to Good Samaritan Ministries of Loudon County, Senior Citizen’s Center of Loudon County, and Good Shepherd Ministries of Monroe County. There were prizes given out the night of the banquet, which included 2-two night stays at the Grand Vista Resort and 2-one hour massages from Health Essentials Spa.
“I would like to thank all of the volunteers who made this a safe and fun event, the participants who took part, and the sponsors who supported us,” said Barnard. “We are already in the planning stages for next year’s Tour de Tellico.”
“We anticipate a larger number of participants next year,” said Barnard, “and we will be sure to provide ample transportation back to Tellico Village. We will also be adding additional events to next year’s ride.”
Sponsors for the Tour de Tellico included East Tennessee’s Mountain Views, the Knoxville News Sentinel, Century 21-Howe Realty & Auction, BB&T Bank, Covenant Health, Tellico West Conference Center and Bistro by the River.
