The Tour de Paris has been rolling through downtown Paris for 35 years, and its 36th rallies up for Sept. 26 at 8:30 a.m. Several cyclists have registered from Florida, Georgia, Missouri and more.
With more than 450 cyclists signed up for this weekend’s tour, more are expected to register before the Sept. 23 pre-registration deadline. This year’s race will not have a day-of registration; all registrations are required before the Sept. 23, midnight deadline.
This year’s tour is expected to be different from previous years due to COVID-19, as there will be no gathering at the Love Civic Center.
“Police officers and safety volunteers will be at the intersection at the start, and folks can start their ride at any time,” Lamar County Chamber Visitors Director Becky Semple said. “(Riders are) encouraged to be out on their chosen route by 8:30 a.m. Rest stops open at 7:30 a.m.”
This year’s tour is following safety guidelines and rest stops throughout the routes will serve individually packaged items and bottled drinks.
“Refreshments will be different, but appreciated,” Semple said. “We want everyone involved to be safe, so we will be social distancing and wearing masks.”
The tour will offer support from various community organizations such as SAG Support, EMS Reserves and the local Christian Motorcycle Association to ensure cyclists are cared for.
“Our support out on the routes is amazing,” Semple. “Our city and county first responders are in place to provide safety in town as well as out in the county.”
The after-race meal this year will be in a sack lunch, and there will be no meal prepared in the civic center as years past.
Pre-packet pick-up will be in Love Civic Center’s parking lot on Friday from 5 to 8 p.m. and Saturday from 6 to 7:30 a.m.
For more information or to sign up to volunteer, call the Lamar County Chamber of Commerce at 903-784-2501.
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Photo: tourdeparis.org
