Register for Tour de Montclair

Question: what event has ballooned from a small community bike ride drawing only 200 people into an all-out festival attracting more than 1,000 participants?

The infamous Tour de Montclair, of course. Indeed, Bike&Walk Montclair has announced the 9th annual Tour de Montclair to be held at Essex County's Brookdale Park on Sunday, May 15 (rain or shine).

Laura Torchio, Bike&Walk Montclair Trustee, said some of the feedback she's received in past years relates to a broadened perspective on the part of participants.

"Those who had assumed 12 miles was really long or that Montclair’s hills were too steep discovered that not only could they get around by bike, they discovered some really special places in Montclair that they could enjoy at a slower pace," she said.

She said that the community cycling and recreational event promises something for everyone: family-friendly bike routes, a car-free loop in the park, a trike-a-thon for the littlest riders, music, games, and this year—a community walk!

Cyclists of all abilities are invited to ride one of the Tour’s three routes: a one-mile car-free loop within the park, a medium on-road route (8 miles), and a more challenging "long route" around Montclair (12 miles). Walkers can enjoy the car-free park and continue on a 4-mile route via the Lenape Trail (a blazed trail that links many attractions and neighborhoods) and the Upper Montclair shopping district.

Torchio said that each Tour—now in its 9th year—has a theme that reflects the many benefits of bicycling and walking.

"Our themes have ranged from traffic safety to walking and biking to school to clean air," she said. "This year’s theme is Bikes and Feet on Every Street, and with our added walking component, we literally will see that happen!"

In addition, this year's event will be the springboard for Bike&Walk Montclair’s new partnership with the Partners for Health Foundation and their “Eat. Play. Live…Better” initiative.

“There is ample evidence that a lack of physical activity and unhealthy eating habits contribute to many chronic diseases that are otherwise preventable. The Partners for Health Foundation is proud to be at the forefront of a nationwide effort toward prevention,” explained Pam Scott, Executive Director of the Foundation.  

This exciting new community initiative, “Eat. Play. Live…Better,” will strive to increase active living and healthy eating across Montclair and kicks off at the 2011 Tour de Montclair.

In addition to the Partners for Health Foundation, this year’s Tour is being sponsored by Essex County Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs, the Township of Montclair and the Montclair YMCA. 

Pre-registering online for the Tour de Montclair is strongly encouraged and made easy and convenient by visiting www.bikewalkmontclair.org. Online registration is $15 per person or $40 per family (up to 5 members) and can include a one-year Bike&Walk Montclair membership for a special price of only $10. All pre-registrants will reserve a collectible souvenir “Bikes and Feet on Every Street” 2011 Tour t-shirt, route map and give-aways from our sponsors! On-site registration for the Tour de Montclair will open at 9 a.m. and is $20 per person or $45 per family (up to 5 members). T-shirts will be given to on-site registrants on a first come, first served basis while supplies last.