HOW DOES TOUR DE TURNS "HELP TURN THE CORNER ON LOCAL HUNGER"?
100% of the money raised from the annual ride and walk goes to Loaves & Fishes, Inc., a 501(c)3 food pantry (L&F). In fact, Tour de Turns never touches a dime of the money. L&F receives all money directly from our sponsors and registrations. Tour de Turns does not have any paid staff. We are 100% volunteer operated. If you are interested in joining a committee, we would love to hear from you.
WILL THERE BE REST STOPS THIS YEAR?
Yes, the 15 and 25-Mile Routes have rest stops at 8, 13 and 20 miles. The 37 and 62-Mile Routes have rest stops at 13, 22, 29*, 35**, 37***, 45, 53 and 57 miles. PLEASE NOTE: We will not have any Water or Food at the Start/Finish since this is a "Ride on Your Own" event. We recommend that you bring a cooler with drinks and food in your vehicle.
*Mile 29 is the Arboretum Shopping Center, so you can stop at one of many options to buy hydration and/or food.
**Mile 35 is Colony Shopping Center at the corner of Rea Rd and Colony Rd (home of The Lodge: A Sportsman's Grill where Natty Boh Duo will be playing).
***Mile 37 is Carmel Road Neighborhood Park, so bring your own hydration and food in your vehicle so you can stop if you need.
Please note rest stops will close at 2:00PM.
WHAT WILL BE SERVED AT THE REST STOPS?
Because of COVID-19, we will provide bottled water, bottled Powerade and packaged food such as energy bars and salty chips. We will NOT be able to offer bananas or oranges this year.
ARE THERE RESTROOMS OR PORTA-JONS AT THE REST STOPS?
There is one Porta-Jon at the Start/Finish in the park. Because the large amount of home renovations and construction going on in the neighborhoods we route through, you will be able to spot several porta-jons. Also, you could use restrooms at restaurants in the Arboretum Shopping Center and Colony/Rea Shopping Center.
WHERE IS PACKET PICK UP?
Earlier we said we were mailing packets. We still will mail your packet if requested, but prefer that you pick up at our one of our three Drive-Thru Packet Pick Ups. See "Schedule" page for dates, times, location and detailed Site Map.
WILL I BE ABLE TO REGISTER THE MORNING OF THE RIDE/WALK?
Yes, we will have "Drive-Thru" registration from 7:00AM to 10:00AM in the parking lot located on the left side of Carmel Road Neighborhood Park.
WHAT IS THE ADDRESS OF THE START/FINISH?
Please see "Schedule" page on this website.
WHERE DO I PARK?
Since we don't have an official event and contract with Parks & Rec, please park on the church side of the park parking lot and NOT in front of the park. See "Schedule" page on this website for detailed Parking map.
WHAT IS SCHEDULE OF EVENTS?
Please see "Schedule" tab on this website.
HOW DO I KNOW IF I'M ORDERING THE CORRECT SIZE JERSEY?
This year we are only offering men's "Race Cut" for sale. If you normally wear a "Club Cut" jersey, we STRONGLY encourage you to order one size larger than you normal wear because they are "Race Cut", so slimmer fit.
I'M NOT SURE WHAT MILEAGE I'M CAPABLE OF RIDING?
Great news! Tour de Turns might be the most flexible ride as it relates "game time" decision making on which distance to ride. We offer 15, 25, 37 and 62-mile routes. The 15 and 25-Mile Routes start at the same time and are on the same route for the first 13 miles. The 15-Mile Route simply cuts off a couple of sections of the 25-Mile Route. At 13 miles, you can make the decision if you want to go only 15 or continue on the 25-mile route. 62-Mile route offer the same flexibility as the 37 and 62-mile routes are the same for 37 miles. The 37-mile route finishes at park, so 62-milers can make a "game time" decision if they want to continue for the next 15 or 25 miles.
WHERE DO THE CYCLING ROUTES GO AND WILL MY FAMILY/FRIENDS BE ABLE TO SEE ME MULTIPLE TIMES?
All routes stay within a six square mile area in south Charlotte. The routes never travel on Providence Rd, Park Road or Hwy 51 (except for 50 yards). The furthest point from the Start/Finish is approximately 4 miles via road routes or 2.7 miles as the crow flies. This has to be one of the most, if not the most, compact road cycling events in the world. With a little planning, your family/friends will be able to see you multiple times by either taking a short walk or drive from the Start/Finish. Please see the "Route Maps/Viewing Locations" tab on this website for route maps, cue sheets and viewing locations.
WHAT MILEAGES ARE OFFERED FOR THE WALKS?
This year we are offering 3.0 and 6.0 mile routes. Everybody will start together and walk the first 3.0 miles together. The 3-milers finish back at the park and the 6-milers continue on. There is a rest stop and Porta-Jon at the park. On the 6, you will pass Caribou Coffee at approximately 4.5 miles. The 6-milers finish back at the park.
HOW ARE THE ROUTES MARKED AND WILL I GET LOST?
We use a minimum of five Route Arrows on every turn. In the past six years, we have only had a few people say they got lost. They admitted it was because they were not paying attention. We always tell the riders at the start "If you reach Providence Rd, Park Rd or Hwy 51, you are off course and need to back track to the course." Also, because these routes go through residential neighborhoods, chances are you are no further than 200' from a home in a nice area of Charlotte.
CAN WE RIDE OUR TANDEM?
Yes, both riders on a tandem need to register, for liability and services reasons.
CAN I RIDE WEARING EAR BUDS?
No, we discourage anything that may distract you or keep you from hearing other participants or vehicles. This includes cell phones. This ride is about being together and enjoying the beautiful sights and sounds of backstreets cycling!
DO I HAVE TO WEAR A FACE MASK?
Participants will be required to wear a face covering until you start riding, at all rest stops, and after they finish the event. Also, please socially distance at the rest stops.
WILL THERE BE SAG SUPPORT THIS YEAR?
No, but don't worry as all of the routes occur in a 6 square mile area in south Charlotte between SouthPark and I-485. You are almost always 200' feet from a house door bell and Uber/Lyft serves this area.
HOW DID TOUR DE TURNS GET STARTED?
The founder and route master, Lane Holbert, was a distance runner since middle school. As he was reaching his late 30's, he proactively reduced his mileage to save his knees, hips and spine from potential damage. To replace some of his cardiovascular work outs, he began mountain biking when trail conditions would allow. One of his good mountain biking friends was also a road cyclist. He kept nagging Lane to purchase a road bike. Lane was hesitant because he thought road cycling looked boring but mostly because of his concern with Charlotte's heavy traffic. After three years of listening to his friend's nagging, Lane finally bought his first road bike in 2004. It turned out road cycling was not boring but after a couple of very close brushes by high speed automobiles and a couple of his friends actually getting hit, Lane stopped riding on thoroughfares and outlying country roads. Since he enjoyed being able to ride out of his driveway and get a great cardiovascular workout with the road bike, Lane started exploring backstreet neighborhood routes in south Charlotte where he lived. He ultimately came up with a 25-mile loop that was 93% inside of neighborhoods and only had one stop light (this is the 25-mile route of Tour de Turns today). His friends that rode the route with him nicknamed it "Tour de Turns". In 2011, Lane was riding 24 Hours of Booty with his oldest son. Because Lane rode 200 miles in the previous year's event, his son set a goal to ride 200 miles. As they were approaching the 150-mile mark, his son said he was going to stop at 150-miles because he was extremely bored of repeating the same 3-mile loop. He then said "Dad you need to start a fundraiser on your route because it is so much fun and never boring". The following year Lane organized the inaugural ride with 57 riders that were mostly friends and family.
