Fabulous 4th of July Bike Tour - Tryon, NC

05/16/2025

NOTICE - NO RIDE IN 2025!

This is Katie Malone - I am NOT directing the 4th of July bike ride this year. Hwy 176 coming down from Saluda is still closed from hurricane damage and not safe to ride.

The ride is owned by the Rotary Club of Tryon. I just worked with them to put on the event. As far as I know there are no alternative plans for a ride on the 4th.

Be safe out there!

09/14/2024

I have been to this before and it was really interesting so I thought I would share for the people who are not racing Augusta or Chatty!

TICKETS ON SALE NOW.
https://www.peacecenter.org/events/detail/24-bicycle-film-festival

Bicycle Film Festival Greenville returns on September 28 at the Peace Center. Hosted by EF Education-ONTO cycling.
Bicycle Film Festival has been celebrating bicycles through art, film, and music over the last 24 years. BFF spans the world in over 100 cities worldwide to an audience of over one million people.

BFF Greenville presents two film programs: Hard Miles (Feature Film starring Matthew Modine) and BFF Cinematic Shorts.

3:00 PM: Hard Miles (feature film)

Hard Miles tells the uplifting true story of the bicycling team at Ridge View Academy, a medium-security correctional school in Colorado. The film follows beleaguered coach Greg Townsend (Matthew Modine) as he rounds up an unlikely crew of incarcerated students for a seemingly impossible bike ride from Denver to the Grand Canyon.

Hard Miles Trailer: https://vimeo.com/983337045

6:00 PM: BFF Cinematic (shorts):

Curated documentaries, narratives, animations, award-winning directors, and emerging talents – all share equal billing.

- A relationship in 3 minutes
- Cycle sport as relief from genocide in Rwanda (Oscar winning director)
- 4X champion, Sonya Looney navigates life as a professional athlete and a pregnant athlete.
- Beau Marksohn, aka the Dad Bod Cyclist, uses the bicycle to heal from childhood abuse and reflect how that impacted his relationship with his body as an adult
- Seven years after an oak tree came crashing down on top of 65 year old David Lawrence while on a bike ride, he embarks on his first-ever bikepacking trip in the Blue Ridge Mountains and a second chance at life.
- Paracyclist Meg Fisher set out to be the first paracyclist to complete in two of the world’s toughest bike courses back-to-back: Leadville Trail 100 MTB and SBT GRVL’s Black Course.
- DeAngelo Washington’s baseball career was his ticket out of public housing, but after suffering a life changing injury, he discovered a predominantly white sport he never thought of: mountain biking.
- An inside look at the pipeline for next generation of World Tour cycling pros.​
And more...
BFF Greenville Cinematic Shorts Trailer: https://vimeo.com/988425053

Valet Bike Parking will be provided in front of the Gunter Theater. We encourage everyone to ride your bike to the event…

Each program (“Hard Miles” and the Short Film Series) is around 100 minutes and tickets are available now: www.bicyclefilmfestival.com/tickets





Proceeds from this festival will support EF / ONTO Cycling. EF / ONTO Cycling is a team of boys who race bikes across the Southeast, the US, and the world. Racing bikes is teaching them strong character skills. They work as a team on and off the bike. They celebrate winning and learn from losing, together. EF / ONTO cycling is an elite group of the very best riders the area has to offer. They are competing against the best young riders in the US, and most recently in Europe. A few former EF / ONTO team members are now racing on Professional Teams leading the path for those who follow.



Onward,
Tor & Rusty

BFFTickets PHYSICALComing Soon, 2024///Tickets BFF New York PHYSICAL Sept. 26, 2024///Tickets BFF Fort Collins PHYSICAL Sept. 28, 2024///Tickets BFF Greenville *at UCI World ChampionshipsPHYSICALSept. 27-28, 2024///Tickets BFF Zurich PHYSICAL Oct. 3, 2024///Tickets BFF Madison PHYSICAL Coming Soon,....

08/02/2024

The Fabulous 4th of July Bike Tour - Tryon, NC as captured by Love 2 Fly Love 2 Fly - Drone Works. This video captures the beauty of our ride. I have served our community for many years and shared the roads I love with cyclists from all over. I have met incredible people and am grateful to have had the chance to lead and organize. It was the first ride I ever participated in when I was kid, while my father led on his motorcycle. It has been around for close to 40 years with multiple course changes and will always be one of my favorites!

This is a quick video of the Fabulous 4th of July Bike Tour that I have been involved with for many years. it has been an honor to share the roads that I lov...

07/29/2024

I have 2 spots for a private Mt. Mitchell ride on August 30th (TOMORROW - Tuesday) leaving from my house in Landrum at 7AM to the top of Mt. Mitchell. We have a private SAG that will follow us & transport us back in the late afternoon. 82 miles and 10,000+ feet of climbing. $100

07/11/2024

Thanks to Love 2 Fly - Drone Works for some pretty amazing shots of the ride! More to come soon!

07/08/2024

Thanks to Mark Jump Photography for capturing our event!

Social media images are discounted to $10
Print-quality images are $20
You can find the collection of pictures from the day here:

Photo collection by Mark Jump Photography

07/03/2024

July 4th 6:30 AM – Onsite Registration Opens in the log cabin at Harmon Field.
117 Harmon Field Rd.
Tryon, NC 28782

Both rides START at 7:30 AM

We will ride rain or shine. In the case of torrential downpour or thunder and lightning we might have to delay the start or in extreme circumstances, cancel it. This has only happened once in 40 years.

Parking: Parking near the baseball fields and horse show grounds are going to be closest to the log cabin (next to the playground). There is however a second entrance near the tennis courts where parking is also available.

Bathrooms: there is a large building on the Tryon Arts and Crafts/tennis court side of the track with many restrooms, there is also a small building on the log cabin side of the track with a few restrooms. Please utilize both.

Registration: we will accept on site registrations on the morning of the ride. We will leave online registration open as well.

Pre-registered riders: simply select the correct line and pick up your bib and socks (if available) and you will be on your way.

Socks: every year we give away socks to the first 150 riders, if we have some socks left over from years past that we will be handing out on a first come, first serve basis.

Salty Britches: We have samples for everyone so don’t forget to grab some of the best anti-chaffing oinment you have ever tried!

Photography: This year we have an amazing photographer, Mark Jump, so make sure to look your best when you see him. Photos will be available for purchase after the event.
http://markjumpphotography.com

Also joining us this year is Love 2 Fly Droneworks. Not only can they capture some awesome footage but they also reunite you with a lost pet!

Roads are OPEN to traffic. While there will be places with police lights, please stop at stop signs and follow the rules of the road. This is a bike TOUR and NOT a race! Be safe!

Links to the courses
Can be download to your computer to help with navigation. Both courses are VERY well marked, so even without the course downloaded you can find your way easily.

BRIGHT PINK = SHORT COURSE
Ride with GPS link: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/45918581

YELLOW = LONG COURSE
Ride with GPS link: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/45918603

The ride will have a motorcycle lead. These folks are here for you and your safety. They are volunteers but they are well versed in leading a group of cyclists.

Rest Stop Locations
Serving both rides:
Offering Gatorade, water, watermelon, oranges, bananas, cookies
Cinnamon buns are ONLY at water stop #1! ****SORRY THERE ARE NO BUNS! 😳 But we do have special cookies for you!
Mile 14 also with porta-potty
Mile 27
---
ONLY for the long course
Serving Gatorade, water, watermelon, oranges, bananas, cookies and PB&J sandwiches
Mile 38 also with porta-potty
Mile 46
Mile 54
Mile 60 – coming into Saluda – “Pit Stop” is marked on the road directing you to public restrooms. This is right before you cross the tracks when you are coming down a hill.

There will be a SAG vehicle following each ride. If you are on the side of the road and need help, call us! Put these numbers in your phone to help us, get to you faster.

Ron Katalinich (Long course SAG) 803-517-6989
Katie Malone – 864-415-5804
Lisa Bell – 704-301-7418

Food after the ride: There will be wraps (yes, vegetarian too) as well as soft drinks, water and Gatorade. The food will be available until the last riders finish, whatever time that might be, we know you will be hungry!

FAQ
You can ride any bike you want to on our course, triathlon bike, e-bike, road bike, mountain bike, gravel bike. We just ask that you be courteous and use common sense. Please don’t ride on your aero bars on a tri bike in the middle of a pack etc.

This is NOT a timed event. Sure, you can ride fast and go for a Strava segment, but we are not promoting this ride as a race, nor are we encouraging it. Challenge yourself, enjoy the course, but please be safe!

If you absolutely must give your friend your number because you can’t ride, just please let us know so that we can change the emergency contact info. There is nothing worse than having an injured rider whom we think is named “Bob” only to find out it is “Fred” after calling Bob’s wife.

If you don’t want to start at 7:30 or close to it, we can’t promise you a SAG or aid stations. It is hard to get volunteers on the 4th of July, so the ones we do have we don’t want to overwork! Basically, for the short ride we are assuming everyone can AVG at least 10 mph.

Why does the entry fee cost so much? Because socks, bib numbers, coolers, rest stop food, drinks, marking paint, storage unit for supplies, advertising, location rental all come at a cost. The goal for the Rotary Club of Tryon is to provide a community event that also raises money for worthy local charities.

For questions call or text Katie Malone 864-415-5804.

We look forward to seeing all of you on Thursday morning!

This is an updated map for the Fabulous 4th of July ride that starts at Harmon Field in Tryon, NC - 64.9 mi, +4925 ft. Bike ride in Polk County, NC

07/01/2024

You still have time to press that register button to have some FUN at the Fabulous 4th of July Bike Tour - Tryon, NC! Just click below to come out to play with the cool kids!

https://www.bikesignup.com/Race/NC/Tryon/Fabulous4thofJulyBikeTour

06/24/2024

It's almost time for the Fabulous 4th of July Bike Tour - Tryon, NC 🇺🇸we appeal to all kinds of riders. 🚴‍♀️ Whether you're a seasoned rider looking for a new challenge or someone who simply loves exploring beautiful landscapes on two wheels, this bike tour is for you.

🌟 What to Expect:
⭐️Scenic Routes: Immerse yourself in breathtaking scenery that will take your breath away (in a good way!).

⭐️Well Planned Event: Ride with GPS download with the course, roads clearly marked, potholes marked well in advance, frequent water stops and great on course support and a meal afterwards.

⭐️Photography: Love 2 Fly - Drone Works will be at the start and Mark Jump will be back this year to capture the fun so don't forget to smile!

Online registration will stay open until 7:30 AM when the ride starts. You can also register onsite from 6:00-7:15 AM.

July 4th
Harmon Field, Tryon, NC
Both rides start at 7:30 AM
REGISTER HERE:
http://fabulous4thbiketour.com

06/14/2024

We are in the final stages of preparation for the Fabulous 4th of July Bike Tour - Tryon, NC

REGISTER TODAY! It is the LAST DAY TO SAVE!
https://runsignup.com/Race/NC/Tryon/Fabulous4thofJulyBikeTour

What you can expect:

Registration online will stay open until July 3rd. Onsite registration will be available in the morning before the ride from 6 AM-7:30 AM.

Both rides START at 7:30 AM

Custom Defeet Socks to the first 150 to register.

Salty Britches has generously sent us enough anti-chafing packets for all riders to make you a little more comfortable!

Our course is very well marked - before, at and after all turns. Pot holes and bad sections of road are also marked well in advance. This ride is organized by cyclists for cyclists!

Fully stocked aid stations - The first one, around mile 15, even has cinnamon buns! We will have regular Gatorade and water available at all, as well as watermelon, at the later stops. Our goal is to take care of you!

We have lead motorcycles and police support at busy intersections. The course is NOT closed and there will be traffic, but our goal is to make our event as visible as possible to the cars we are sharing the road with.

There have been extensive modifications to the course from last year. We are reverting back to a version of the course done in the past. We use Ride with GPS. YES, they start together but then split when you get to Lake Lanier.

We also have multiple SAGS out there to support you with tire changing and basic mechanical needs.

When you finish you will be greeted with a delicious nutritious lunch at the cabin thanks to Rural Seed Restaurant for supplying the food and for the volunteers from The Rotary Club of Tryon for preparing it!

If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to reach out to me directly. I am here to help you have a great ride experience!
Katie Malone - 864-415-5804 - [email protected]

06/07/2024

The Fab 4th Bike Tour would like to introduce everyone to Salty Britches, the best anti chaffing product you will ever find.
👉Made in SC
⭐️Every rider will be getting a free sample!

Salty Britches provides a soothing, long-lasting barrier against skin irritation. Get yours today!

06/05/2024

Look at all these smiling faces!

👉Yes, our ride really is that much fun! Don't take my word for it, come out and see for yourself what beautiful country roads and a full service ride can do for your state of mind.

Thursday, July 4th 🇺🇸
We have 65 and 33-mile rides.
Start/Finish @ Harmon Field, Tryon, NC
7:30 Start for both rides
⭐️PRICE GOES UP on JUNE 15th! Sign up now!
https://runsignup.com/Race/NC/Tryon/Fabulous4thofJulyBikeTour

The courses have both been "refreshed," so you can look for slightly different courses with better pavement!

The first 150 riders receive a pair of custom Defeet socks.

In other BIG NEWS, we will have cinnamon buns at the first rest stop!
All you have to do is SHOW UP and ride; we will take care of the rest!
Follow us on Facebook for the most up-to-date information.