SPORTS BRIEFS: Tour de Whidbey rides in September
The seventh Tour de Whidbey, a bicycle ride benefiting the Whidbey General Hospital Foundation, will again start and finish at Greenbank Farm.
The ride, which has grown in size each year, is expected to host more than 500 riders and will be supported by close to 100 volunteers.
This year, the Tour de Whidbey takes place on Saturday, Sept. 27.
Riders have their choice of 25-, 40-, 50- and 100-mile routes. Based on past riders’ comments, the south loop of the 100-mile ride will allow riders to finish the ride on Smuggler’s Cove Road, a gentler route leading back to Greenbank Farm.
Riders will be able to select an alternate 40-mile route, providing different scenery and a more moderate ride than the 50-mile route.
Registration fees cover ride directions, rider bibs, pancake breakfast, well-supported rest stops every 15 to 20 miles and an after-ride chili feed.
The Island County Amateur Radio Club and the local Gold Wing Association will once again provide route support and radio communication at key locations.
The routes have been selected to showcase the beauty and varied terrain of Whidbey, with routes passing through all of the communities on the island from Oak Harbor to Langley. Signs will be placed along the roads advising motorists that bicyclists will be out in unusually high numbers and asking that motorists pay attention to bicyclists on the day.
Through registration fees and sponsor support, the Whidbey General Hospital Foundation hopes to raise funds to purchase a digital mammography machine for the hospital’s Oak Harbor satellite location, Whidbey General North.
For registration, call 360-678-7656, ext. 4020.
Tennis tournament coming to Langley
A mixed doubles tennis tournament for men and women is on the agenda for September.
The South Whidbey Parks & Recreation District and Kevin Jorgensen are staging the event from Monday to Wednesday, Sept. 15-17, at the South Whidbey High School courts.
“You can’t get enough tennis,” Jorgensen said.
The cost is $15 per person, and forms can be picked up at the park district office in Community Park.
For details, call Jorgensen at 360-678-0901 or Carrie Monforte at 221-5484.
