Pedaling for a Good Cause

Each passing day brings us one day closer to one of the highlights of the holiday season on Marco Island: the Tour de Taverns.  

Starting at 10:00 AM, December 6, and ending around 3:00 PM, this will be the 16th year for the annual fundraiser which benefitsthe families of children who are experiencing serious health crises or other catastrophic life events.  

“We say it’s for children who’ve been dealt a bad hand, they've had bad luck,” said Jimmy Boylan, president of the tour’s organizer, the T-Bone Foundation. “They're either sick or in some cases, it's hurricane damage. But we try to help out a child that's in bad shape. So, we look around and we find a child that is in need of financial assistance.” 

For a $30 entry feethis year, riders will receive a commemorative t-shirt before biking to the participating taverns on the island. At each stop, they’ll select a playing card,and at the event’s conclusion, the person with the best hand will win $100.  

The Marco Island Brewery will be the starting point. From there, riders will wend their way to Sami's Pizza and Grill, Nacho Mamas, CJs on the Bay, the Dolphin Tiki Bar and Grill, the Sand Bar, and then return to the Brewery. 

Music will be provided at the Brewery and as is customary, there’ll be raffles and auctions.  

Prizes are donated by Marco businesses and individuals. This year, they’ll include foursomes at a local golf course, bicycles, a fishing charter for four, two round-trip tickets for the Key West Express, gift cards to local establishments, an autographed book by Clyde Butcher, airboat rides, fishing excursions, and more.  

As a bonus, CJs on the Bay is giving $25 gift cards to the first 250 people who sign up.  

Those without bikes for the Tour can borrow them at no charge from the Island Bike Shop. 

This year’s recipient is 10-year-old Edwin Garcia of East Naples, who has been battling leukemia since 2017 and recently underwent a bone marrow transplant. Edwin’s parents both work at the Off the Rock Tavern, located near Verona Walk, and two of his uncles are bartenders at the Brewery.  

The Tour began as an experiment that’s succeeded beyond expectations, said Boylan.  

“We did it as a lark when I was a manager at the Sandbar back in 2009, to see if anybody would be interested in doing something like this,” he said. “That year we had 62 riders, and that was the lowest number of riders we've had. So, we figured there was some interest and we decided to make it a charitable run, and it'skind of taken on a life of its own.” 

The record for participation is 397 riders, and sign-ups are off to a booming start. “We're up to 60 plus signed up already, and we've got almost a month to go,” said Boylan, when interviewed in mid-November.  

More than $250,000 has been raised since the event’s inception, including $23,000 in 2024, a total Boylan hopes to eclipse. 

Reflecting on the Tour’s growth over the years is a pleasure for Boylan.  

“It just feels very good,” he said. “I just can't believe it. Like I say, it kind of seemed to take on a life of its own, and people love it. He encouraged people to “come on out and have fun.” 

Anyone interested in donating additionalraffle prizes, volunteering, or more information can reach Boylan at 239-595-6292. To sign up in person, please visit the Brewery, the SpeakEasy, or online at Eventbrite. To do it online, please visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/tour-de-taverns-tickets-1073722325379?viewDetails=true.