Date: Saturday – August 6, 2011 @ 8:00am
Event: The Melon Patch Tour
Route Distances (Click distance for route maps): 8, 18, 29, 42 & 71 miles
About the Ride: Come see why over 700 cyclists come to De Leon each year to participate in The Melon Patch Tour.
Rest Stops less than 10 miles apart. Full SAG support. All routes monitored by TxDPS, with local Sheriff, Police & VFD assistance
It’s no secret as to why we are referred to as “The Best Fed Ride in Texas”
All routes are on either State High ways (SH) or lightly traveled Farm to Market (FM) roads that are chip seal and offer challenges for all endurance levels from beginner to semi professional.
Several cyclists that are training for the Wichita Falls “Hotter — N — Hell 100” choose our 71 mile route for its elevation changes on FM’s 2318 & 587.
The 42 mile route uses the same course as the 71 but takes a right turn at the community of Duster on FM 679. This routes second challenge will be the climb out of the Sabanna River bottom South of Gorman.
The 29 mile route turns onto FM 587 at the South side of town and makes its way directly to the community of Duster where they make the same turn as the 42 mile route towards Gorman.
The 18 mile route uses the same roads as the 71 & 42 milers where they travel South on SH 16 through town to the community of Downing. Here you will experience a long grade after exiting the Leon River bottom. After rest Stop #1 you will turn right on FM 2318 where you can take it easy for a few miles before the next challenge. Here you will enter the Leon River bottom again but remember if you go down in elevation you have to go up in elevation at some point. Don’t let the appearance of the small hill ahead fool you. You will change gears here, maybe more than twice, but don’t worry, rest stop #2 is about 1 mile away.
The 8 mile route goes to rest stop #2 and makes a turn around (after enjoying the eats & drinks) and makes their way back to the finish line.
Location: [map id=”16″]
Event Website: http://www.themelonpatchtour.com/index.php
Registration details: Online Registration via Active.com
Individual: $30
Tandem $50
Group Members – $25 each
Contact info: ride@themelonpatchtour.com