The Fort Atkinson Lions Club has announced that it will be holding its John McKenzie and Don Bakker memorial bike ride, dubbed the “Tour de Fort.”
The ride will be held this Saturday, and will take participants through scenic areas within Jefferson County, including Rock Lake, Lake Ripley, Koshkonong Creek, Fort Atkinson, Jefferson, Lake Mills and Cambridge.
Registration to participate in the tour is required. An adult registration cost is $50 per participant. Riders can register online and on the day of the event.
Registration fees for children are as follow: ages 6 to 12, $15. Those 5 and under may participate for free, but must be accompanied by a registered parent.
The ride will be held rain or shine, with no refunds offered, according to its organizers.
The following link is provided for those interested in registering online: https://bit.ly/Lions-TDF-2024.
The ride provides participants with three options. Riders can chose to complete a 16-mile, 31-mile or 62-mile course, the release stated, with organizers encouraging riders to select the length that best fits their enthusiasm.
“All the routes are on paved, scenic, and enjoyable roads,” the release continued.
Those interested in participating in the ride are asked to arrive at 8:30 a.m. at Jones Park in Fort Atkinson.
According to the release, “Riders can begin at any time but rest stops have cut-off times.”
Additionally, the release noted, those arriving Saturday morning in Jones Park will be offered breakfast treats before the ride begins, and will find refreshments at rest stops, along with a picnic lunch and beverage at the conclusion of the ride.
Food items will be offered through the Fort Atkinson Generals Concessions stand in Jones Park, the release read.
Further, the release stated, riders will have support as they travel the routes.
“There will be SAG wagon patrols courtesy of Two Rivers Bicycles in Fort Atkinson and the Fort Atkinson Lions to aid in any bicycle mishaps. They also will provide pre-start bicycle service. There will also be course radio communications courtesy of Tri-County Amateur Radio Club. There also are detailed maps and well-marked routes to guide riders,” the release read.
Along with the Fort Atkinson Lions Club, event sponsors include W&A Distribution Services, Blodgett Garden Center, Festival Foods, Melanie Becker of Jensen & Becker Realtors, Kwik Trip, and Subway of Jefferson County.
The ride’s namesakes, McKenzie and Bakker, were both longtime members of the Fort Atkinson Lions Club who enjoyed bike riding, the release stated.
“A memorial statue and park bench in honor of these two men is found along a bike trail paralleling Janesville Avenue, just past Jones Dairy Farm,” the release noted.
As stated in the release, “the Tour de Fort helps the Fort Atkinson Lions Club raise money for a variety of local projects. The club has supported Fort Atkinson High School Music Awards, Girls in Welding & Metal Fabrication Camp, Piecemakers Quilt Guild, VOICES Fort Atkinson High School Choir, Jefferson County Christmas Neighbors, Beautification Council of Fort Atkinson, Fort Atkinson Youth Softball and Football, Fort Atkinson Youth Baseball, Dwight Foster Public Library Summer Reading Program, and various other area projects. The Club also contributed to the Wisconsin Lions Camp, allowing local youth and adults with vision, hearing, diabetes, and other challenges, to attend the week-long camp with others with similar difficulties at no charge.”
For more information about the Tour de Fort, contact Jason Fiege by phone: 920-542-4099 or email: fortlionsclub@gmail.com.
Tour de Fort riders round a bend in Jefferson during a previously held ride. Contributed photo.
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