2020 Cycling EVEnt OPTIONS
Due to Covid-19 we had to make a few changes to our cycling event. At this time we are offering two options:
Option 1: August 1, 2020
*in person event Details*
25-mile loops-In-person options
Please check your emails and our social media pages for up-to-date details regarding the 25-mile cycling courses! **Subject to change based on current CDC guidelines or State mandates. Final decision will be made by July.**
- FOUR ROUTE OPTIONS
- Multiple 25 mile looped routes are available for 25, 50, 75 or 100 mile distances with one common rest stop at the intersection of all routes.
- CT 2020 ROUTE 1 FORWARD-WHITE
- CT 2020 ROUTE 1 REVERSE –PINK
- CT 2020 ROUTE 2 FORWARD-ORANGE
- CT 2020 ROUTE 2 REVERSE –YELLOW
- 10 MILE -A 10 mile turn around route is also marked
- Multiple 25 mile looped routes are available for 25, 50, 75 or 100 mile distances with one common rest stop at the intersection of all routes.
- START TIME-All the rides have a rolling start, meaning you can start anytime.
- LOCATION-Ride will begin at a location of your choosing along one of the 25 mile loop routes. Parking options along the route will be listed on cue sheets and in a forthcoming email. All riders will begin and end at the location of your choosing. This decision was made to minimize group sizes and to ensure social distancing. One rest stop will be located at the intersection of the 25 mile loops (think of a figure 8 shown to right).
- REST STOP-The rest stop will be open 7 am-4 pm. One rest stop will be available at the intersection of all routes & provide bottled beverages and a variety of manufacturer wrapped nutritional items.
- LIMITED SAG support - see below
- T-SHIRTS and JERSEY- will be shipped by the end of August.
Please check your emails and our social media pages for up-to-date details regarding the 25-mile cycling courses! **Subject to change based on current CDC guidelines or State mandates. Final decision will be made by July.**
COVID-19 SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
Please bear with us this year as we take extra precautions for COVID-19. Please note changes and actions items:
Please bear with us this year as we take extra precautions for COVID-19. Please note changes and actions items:
- Masks. Please wear a mask at the rest stop when interacting with our volunteers or when 6-ft social distancing is not feasible. Our volunteers will be wearing masks and gloves.
- Hand Sanitation. A hand washing station and hand sanitizer will be available at the rest stop. Please wash your hands when arriving at the rest stop and use hand sanitizer as necessary.
- Cycling Etiquette. Please do not discard bodily fluids (i.e. spitting etc.) near other cyclists.
- Food and drink. Water and other refreshments will be bottled or in cans. Food will be in manufacturer sealed packages only. We will not be offering any handmade items during the in-person 2020 event.
- SAG. We will have limited support. A pick-up truck is available to pick up riders needing support. To ensure social distancing and safety, you will be transported in the bed of the pick-up truck. You will be transported to a local bike shop, Leed’s Cyclery or to your vehicle at a parking spot/lot along a designated event route.
- Rolling start. All riders will begin and end at the location of your choosing either along one of the routes or at a designated parking lot (see cue sheets). The rest stop will be located at the intersection of the 25 mile loops (think figure 8). All the rides have a rolling start, meaning you can start anytime. Keep in mind the rest stop availability.
- Rest Stop- Please BRING Proof of Registration (print or electronic) to access rest stop services. The rest stop will be open 7 am-4 pm. Located at the intersection of both loops (see intersection in photo below). Please avoid congregating at the rest stop.
- Restrooms- We will have two portable units available at the rest stop and multiple public rest rooms/portable units marked on the cue sheets.
- Riding in Groups. Please keep your group size to a minimum and ride only with riders you ride with normally (we recommend less than 6 people).
- Riders who have traveled recently. If you have traveled to a hot spot in the last 14 days we ask that you please ride on your own, before or after Aug. 1. These hot spots are defined by: https://www.health.pa.gov/topics/disease/coronavirus/Pages/Travelers.aspx
OR
OPTION 2:July 18- August 1
*VIRTUAL EVENT DETAILS*
*VIRTUAL EVENT DETAILS*
Virtual Option-Virtual ride Between July 18 - August 1
If you are riding one of the 2020 or 2019 routes, these routes will be available on our website https://www.thechocolatetour.com/cycling-options.html
You also have the option to choose your own route as you wish. Please share your travels with us on FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM AND TWITTER and don’t forget to tag us! #GOVIRTUALCT2020
If you are riding one of the 2020 or 2019 routes, these routes will be available on our website https://www.thechocolatetour.com/cycling-options.html
- All 2019 cue sheets and RidewithGPS access will be available starting July 18. These routes will not have updated markings on the road. Please use cue sheets or GPS files to navigate.
- 2020 25 mile loop options will be marked and also available as GPX files on our website or through RidewithGPS by July 18.
You also have the option to choose your own route as you wish. Please share your travels with us on FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM AND TWITTER and don’t forget to tag us! #GOVIRTUALCT2020
VIRTUAL CYCLING EVENT DETAILS
Cyclists who choose one of our virtual routes will enjoy a ride through the beautiful countryside of central Pennsylvania viewing Amish farms, wooded areas, and covered bridges while visiting historic chocolate Towns of:
Hershey-home of Hershey's Chocolate Factory
Elizabethtown- Home of M& M/Mars
Lititz- home of Wilbur chocolate company
Anyone can participate in The Virtual Chocolate Tour by choosing your own route or we are providing maps and cue sheets for you to use as you like. There is a route for every level of cyclist. from beginner to expert, everyone is sure to find a route they will enjoy. The virtual routes available take you through through scenic central Pennsylvania traveling through Dauphin, Lancaster, and Lebanon counties.
Choose from one of our 5 Virtual cycling routes:
10 family fun ride 30 mile 50 Mile 75 mile 100 Mile
Choose from one of our 5 Virtual cycling routes:
10 family fun ride 30 mile 50 Mile 75 mile 100 Mile
- Register for it - Online
- RIDE IT-Bike with us virtually on August 1 or anytime between July 18-August 1.
- CHOOSE IT- Choose your own route or one of our 2019 Routes available (follow the link above). Please be mindful of social distancing practices and CDC guidelines whatever route your choose.
- LOG It (optional)- Want to show off your time? Let us know how you are doing by logging your progress on:
- STRAVA (through the “Chocolate Tour Cyclists” group)
- RideWithGPS or
- ZWIFT (membership required). Instructions will be provided on the website.
- Receive your finishers certificate.
- SHARE IT- Share your pictures- Don't forget to share your pic on our social media pages FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM AND TWITTER
- USE IT- the event hashtag #GOVIRTUALCT2020
ALL CYCLISTS
We recommend ALL cyclists have the following items with them when riding in-person or virtually. We will not be providing support or assistance:
- Spare tubes, especially if they are a unique size. SAG drivers will have some standard sizes with them but may not be close to you.
- CO2 inflator or a hand pump.
- Auxiliary power supply for your phone.
- Emergency information and ID.
- A bike tool for quick repairs.
- A water to last the duration of your ride.
Also, for your safety, we encourage you to inspect your bike for defects prior to arrival for the ride.
We encourage ALL cyclists participating in the Chocolate Tour follow the rules:
- Helmets are required at all times while riding
- Please ride in single file at all times.
- Signal your turns and stops- visually and vocally
- Pass only on the left; announce passing “on your left”
- Let every rider LOOK for themselves.
- Do not use earbuds while riding
- We have marked busy intersections with extra CAUTION markings, but please consider every intersection as dangerous. Every rider should LOOK for themselves to ensure their own safety.
- Stop at all stop signs, obey all traffic laws
- Share the road with walkers, joggers, and vehicles
- Move completely off to side of road if stopping for any reason
- Pace lines are discouraged-this is not a race
- Enjoy your ride
The Chocolate Tour is part of the Bicycling Trifecta, a collaboration of Central Pennsylvania's 3 Premier cycling events. Learn more about how to participate in the Bicycling Trifecta and receive a commemorative mug. - NOT APPLICABLE FOR 2020
Cycling Photos from the 2019 ride:
Lancaster Bike Club member Steve Holland will have a team of photographers strategically stationed along the cycling routes to capture photos of our riders and the beautiful central Pennsylvania scenery and covered bridges. These photos will be available for sale on his website, www.zenfolio.com/imaginations. Available items will include digital downloads and prints in popular sizes, all at very reasonable prices. And best of all, proceeds benefit the Conner M Holland Foundation (cmhollandfoundation.org), which provides financial support to families of children with pediatric cancer, and runs the Conner’s Comfies ™ program that distributes new pajamas to sick children at the Hershey Medical Center and Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP). Visit his tent to learn more about the Foundation!
Lancaster Bike Club member Steve Holland will have a team of photographers strategically stationed along the cycling routes to capture photos of our riders and the beautiful central Pennsylvania scenery and covered bridges. These photos will be available for sale on his website, www.zenfolio.com/imaginations. Available items will include digital downloads and prints in popular sizes, all at very reasonable prices. And best of all, proceeds benefit the Conner M Holland Foundation (cmhollandfoundation.org), which provides financial support to families of children with pediatric cancer, and runs the Conner’s Comfies ™ program that distributes new pajamas to sick children at the Hershey Medical Center and Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP). Visit his tent to learn more about the Foundation!
*Registration fees for this event are not considered charitable and therefore are not tax deductible. *Registration(s) are non-refundable. Regardless of weather or registrants availability or any other unexpected event. The event will take place rain or shine.
