SYRACUSE —The Syracuse-Wawasee Tour des Lakes Bike Ride will return to Kosciusko County Saturday, July 9.

The annual event includes gently rolling hills and a leisure ride to be traveled at your own pace. The event allows riders to appreciate the scenery around Kosciusko’s beautiful lakes.

The tour travels around eight lakes, beginning with Syracuse Lake, then traveling on to Lake Wawasee, Lake Papakeechee, Webster Lake, Tippecanoe Lake and several other small lakes along the way.

Between the lakes, riders will enjoy a ride across the country-side and through several Kosciusko towns. Tour rides include several options, including a 25k, 50k and 100k ride. Along the way, riders may stop for a healthy snack or drink at one of the SAG stops. Families are invited to participate in the Free Family Fun Ride around Syracuse Lake, which is approximately 5 miles.

The Syracuse Park Department also has a BMX show lined up that will be going on throughout the day at the community center. More information for this annual event can be found at www.tourdeslakes.com

Starting Point And Time

The starting point for the Tour des Lakes will be at the Syracuse Community Center, 1013 N. Long Drive, Syracuse. Registration will begin at 7 a.m. and continue until 9:30 a.m. Family Fun Ride registration begins at 9 a.m. Riders who choose the 100k route must depart by 10 a.m. All riders are asked to be off the routes by 4 p.m. The ride will be held rain or shine, and riders are asked to be prepared with weather appropriate clothing.

Repairs

Traveling SAG will be available to riders. Organizers request bikes be in good condition and riders are prepared to handle their own repairs, such as flat tires.

Safety & Responsibility

No riders will be allowed to start who have not signed the waiver and assumption of personal risk on the registrations form. Riders under 18 must have a parent or guardian signature. Children under the age of 12 must be accompanied by an adult over the age of 21. All riders will be asked to sign in at the end of the ride.