Smiles Abound at 12th Tour de Marco

If you judge the success of an event by the participants’ smiles, the 12th annual Tour de Marco couldn’t have been more successful. Pleasant temperatures and azure skies certainly didn’t hurt. A record turnout of riders was another plus. And that the Tour de Marco is now a memorial ride honoring Chuck Thomas just adds to the magic that was being made February 27 at the Marco Y.

“We had 246 riders,” said Steve Lampar of the YMCA, director of the Tour de Marco. “What makes that special is that we were able to have so many people here when we honored Chuck. Especially with his family flying in from all over the country. It was a great day.”

There was nary a cloud in the sky as the temperature rose quickly from the upper 60s during registration to an even 80 degrees by the time the last riders returned to the Y’s airnasium. The Tour de Marco offers 30 and 15-mile routes. This year the 30-miler was the most popular tour.

“There were a lot more 30-mile riders today,” Lampar said.

Riders enjoyed a tour of all corners of the island, including Key Marco, Caxambas, Collier Boulevard, Tigertail Beach and the estates area. Both Key Marco and the estates area feature some of the only hills in Southwest Florida.

No accidents were reported. There was not so much as a flat tire, which speaks well for the job the City of Marco Island does with their street sweeping program. Matt Walthour, owner of Island Bike Shop and the title sponsor of the Tour de Marco, annually drives the course during the Tour de Marco providing assistance to riders in need. This year he had no takers.

For the first time, a number of riders enjoyed the Tour de Marco on electric bicycles. The electric bikes fit in seamlessly. There were also a pair of recumbent bicycles and one dog enjoyed the Tour de Marco in its master’s front basket. The only thing missing from this year’s tour was a tandem bicycle or two. All in all, it was a wonderful morning of fun in the sun, Marco Island style.