RESCHEDULED: Tour de Marco 14 is Rescheduled to March 3rd!

The Island Pedaler column returns after a several year layoff, just in time for Tour de Marco 14.

I have a close connection to the Tour de Marco because I founded the 30-mile and 15-mile event as a member of the Island’s bike path committee in 2011. The original idea was to introduce Marco Islanders to the Island’s new network of shared-use paths and in-road lanes. But an eleventh-hour insurance snafu almost ended the Tour de Marco before it got started.

Enter Cindy Love-Abounader at the Greater Marco YMCA. Love-Abounader said the Y would take on the insurance risk, and the Tour de Marco was saved. The first Tour de Marco Island started and ended at Veterans Community Park.

Since then - except for one year when a new building was being constructed at the Y - the tour has started and ended at the Y campus. The Tour de Marco went underground that year, with around 50 riders meeting up at the foot of the Stan Gober Memorial bridge in order to keep the Tour’s consecutive years streak intact. 

The Tour de Marco even avoided the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic by 10 days in 2020. In 2022 the YMCA’s board of directors decided to honor Chuck Thomas, who had passed away unexpectedly four months earlier, by adding his name to their popular bike tour. From that point forward Chuck Thomas Memorial Ride has been part of the Tour de Marco’s name. Thomas served on the YMCA board for many years and is remembered fondly.

“Chuck could be seen volunteering and supporting the Y in many of its events,” said George Abounader. “He was a workout inspiration for many of us who interacted with him in the Fitness Center.”

Abounader was the principal and CEO of Marco Island Charter Middle School for 21 years. He was very involved in the construction of the $17.5 million brick-and-mortar campus that replaced the original eight portable classrooms that comprised the original campus. Since retiring in 2020, Abounader has more time to bicycle and to volunteer. “We do a lot of volunteering,” Abounader said, “it’s what we do."   

Matt Walthour, owner/operation of the Island Bike Shop, has been involved with the Tour de Marco since the beginning. He won’t be able to attend the tour this Saturday, February 18, but he’ll be there in spirit. For years Walthour has sponsored the t-shirts for the Tour de Marco. He also provides road support. One of his team members from Island Bike Shop will take his place Sunday.

“We’re go-fers,” Matt Walthour joked. “We’re helmet suppliers. We are just support for all the bikers if there's any issues. Mechanically, flat tires, things like that. We just support the best we can.”

Walthour said he ordered about 340 shirts for this year’s tour. The t-shirts have come a long way since the first Tour de Marco t-shirts were given away at Tour de Marco 3.

"The t-shirts are a lot nicer now,” Walthour said, "they're the wicking fabric, which is nice. Not just cotton.”

Jennifer Johnson, this year’s Tour de Marco director said there is a new wrinkle for this year’s tour.

“We’re going to have an official starting line this year,” Johnson said proudly. Johnson also reminds riders that helmets are required and that Tour de Marco is a ride, not a race.

Scott H. Shook is a graduate of the University of Florida who retired after a long career in resort management on Marco Beach. An avid cyclist, Scott founded the Tour de Marco and has served as a member of the city’s Bike Paths Volunteer Committee since its inception. His writing and photography appear weekly in the Coastal Breeze News.

Tour de Marco 14

Sunday February 18, 2024

30 Mile Ride: Check In: 7:00 AM, Start 8:00 AM.

15 Mile Ride: Check In: 8:00 AM, Start 9:00 AM.

Cost: $45 per rider. Pre-registration Closes Thursday, February 17, at 8:00 PM.

The Tour de Marco starts and finishes at the YMCA of Collier County South Campus, 101 Sand Hill Street, Marco Island, FL 34145