Landrum cyclist Steve Prince and his team of cycling enthusiasts known as the “Foothills Pedalers” are ready to join the hundreds of other riders taking to the scenic, rural roads of the Blue Ridge foothills in North and South Carolina at the 30th annual Fabulous 4th Bike Tour on Thursday, July 4.

The Rotary Club of Tryon charity event raises funds for Rotary Club of Tryon’s Children’s Fund, which includes Gift of Life and Reading is Fundamental. These programs benefit children in Polk County and the foothills area.

The Foothills Pedalers — made up of 17 local cyclists that ride together each weekend — enjoy participating in charity rides like the Fabulous 4th. The 67-mile Fabulous 4th tour winds through the Pedalers’ favorite cycling routes in Landrum, Polk County and the Watershed, where these cycling friends log miles each weekend.

Prince logs between 3,000 to 4,000 miles each year on his bike and looks forward to cycling events that raise money for worthy causes. In addition to supporting the Fabulous 4th, Prince, age 60, is training for a 200-mile ride for multiple sclerosis in September. This will be his 10th year raising money for the National MS Society.

“If I can bring awareness and can raise money for an important cause just by doing what I love, I’m going to do it,” explained Prince.

The Fabulous 4th Bike Tour features two event routes: the well-known 67-mile metric-century ride with over 7,800-feet of vertical climb through the Blue Ridge foothills in two states, and the shorter, more relaxed route of 34 miles in the Polk County area. Both rides start at 7 a.m.

Lunch is served to riders between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. at Harmon Field.

For more information, go to the website: www.fabulous4thbiketour.org.

– article submitted

by Scarlette Tapp