Tour de Houston Presented by Apache Corporation

TOUR DE HOUSTON PRESENTED
BY APACHE CORPORATION SET FOR SUNDAY, MARCH 20, 2016
Annual Bike Ride to Raise Funds for City’s Reforestation Projects

WHAT: Tour de Houston Presented by Apache Corporation, the annual fundraising bike ride, will take place Sunday, March 20, 2016. Now in its 11th year, the annual bike ride offers Houstonians and visitors a unique way to view the city with routes winding through Houston’s historic neighborhoods, scenic districts and parks while raising funds for the city’s Reforest Houston program. With three ride length options, the Tour de Houston is the perfect event for leisure riders or cycling enthusiasts. In addition, it is a BP MS 150 recommended training ride. The Mayor’s Office of Special Events is planning for an estimated 5,000 riders.

WHEN: Sunday, March 20, 2016 
6:00 a.m. Check in and registration 
1:30 p.m. Post-ride party

WHERE: Ride begins and ends at City Hall (901 Bagby)

REGISTRATION & COST: 
January 13 - 29, $30adults; $20 kids (12 yrs. and under)
January 30 - February 18, $35; $20 kids(12 yrs, and under)
February 19 - March 19, $40; $20 kids(12 yrs. and under)

ONLINE registration closes March 19 @ 4pm

PACKET PICKUP:
Thursday, March 17 and Friday March 18 from 11a-6p at City Hall
Saturday, March 19 at Sun and Ski on Westheimer from 11a-4p

MORE: For more information call 832.393.0868 or visit www.tourdehouston.org.

Visit us on social media at facebook.com/HoustonSpecialEvent or @MayorsEvents, #TourdeHou
INFO: *Route lengths are not exact – see map when available online.
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RULES OF THE ROAD

 KNOW YOUR LIMITS! Choose a Mileage that you are sure you are able to ride.
 Speed Distance/ Time Calculator to help you decide:
 http://www.machinehead-software.co.uk/bike/speed_distance_time_calc.html
 Follow the order of your chosen mileage
70 Milers begin at 7:30 a.m.
45 Milers begin at 8:00 a.m.
20 Milers begin at 8:30 a.m.
 Each start will have several waves grouped by speed with the fastest riders starting first (Wave Start)
The Wave Start helps riders spread out faster and safer
 Starting in the right pace group will avoid the need to pass or be passed many times at the beginning of the ride and reduce congestion significantly
 This is NOT a race, please be careful and courteous.
 Be aware of changing road surfaces. Watch for cracks, manhole covers, etc.
 This is not a closed route. Intersections will be manned by traffic officers.
 OBEY TRAFFIC RULES, OFFICERS AND TRAFFIC SIGNALS.
 Use caution at ALL INTERSECTIONS.
 Helmets are REQUIRED!
 No use of headphones, mobile phones, Bluetooth devices, hand-held cameras, trailers or tag-a-longs.
 Use verbal and hand signals to announce your intentions (“passing on your left”, “left turn”, “right turn”, “slowing”, stopping”).
 Scan for traffic and signal lane changes and turns – you are considered a vehicle.
 Be predictable – Maintain your line and your speed
 Don’t accelerate or slow down suddenly
 Travel in a straight line unless you are avoiding hazards or passing
 Ride no more than two abreast. Slower riders please ride as far right as practicable to allow faster riders to pass on your left.
 The Ride Marshals are there for your safety and can assist with problems on the road.
 If you need assistance, please pull completely off the road, remove your helmet and use it to wave for help.
 ALL ROUTES ARE SECURED UNTIL 1:30 P.M. AFTER 1:30 P.M. RIDERS WILL HAVE THE OPTION TO HOP ON THE SAG WAGON OR CONTINUE TO RIDE WITHOUT SUPPORT.

REST STOPS:
? REST STOP 1 & 5: KIPP North Campus- 500 Tidwell Road, Houston, TX 77022
 REST STOP 2: Humble Christian School - 16202 Old Humble Rd, Humble, TX 77396
 REST STOP 3: Kingwood Community Center – 4102 Rustic Woods Dr., Kingwood, TX 77345
 REST STOP 4: Aspen Manufacturing – 373 Atascocita Road, Humble, TX 77396
 Rest Stops are busy, so please slow down well in advance.
 Pull into the rest stops fully - Do not stop on the road
 Yield to riders exiting from rest stops.

SPECIAL MENTIONS:
 PREPARED TO SLOW DOWN AND STOP AT THE FOLLOWING RAILROAD CROSSINGS:

o RAILROAD CROSSING: Yale & 36th ½
o RAILROAD CROSSING: Tidwell @ Hirsch
o RAILROAD CROSSING: Old Humble Road (between Homestead and Beltway 8)

o If you are a 70-mile participant and have not reached REST STOP 2 (Humble Christian School) by 10:30 a.m. you will be advised to turn-around
o If you are a 45-mile participant and have not reached REST STOP 1 (KIPP Academy) by 10:30 a.m. you will be advised to turn-around