Cyclists to Head Downtown For Labor Day's Olde Mill Inn Tour of Basking Ridge

The 19th Annual Olde Mill Inn Tour of Basking Ridge bike races again will be the traditional way for many local residents to end their summer, in a Labor Day event that will mix serious cyclists with kids and residents who want to climb on a bike.

The first race, a 15-mile tour of a mile-long lap in the downtown area, is scheduled to begin at 7:15 a.m. The last race, a five-mile race for citizens,  is set for 1:30 p.m.

All races will begin and end at the intersection of South Finley Avenue and Lewis Street, said Greg Cordasco, co-owner of Liberty Cycle. Liberty Cycle, at 107 S. Maple Ave., and the township of Bernards are together presenting the tour, with the Olde Mill Inn of Basking Ridge as lead sponsor, he said.

"It's a great way for everybody to reconnect," Cordasco said. The bike races bring together neighbors who haven't seen much of each other during the summer, he said.

Participants in the final citizens' race will be able to register on the day of the race, Cordasco said.

There is no need to register for the 10:30 a.m. childrens' races held in several age categories, Cordasco said. Children need only to show up with their bicycles and look for signs for their age group, which will be displayed on sandwich boards along South Finley Avenue, he said.

Participants in other categories, which will carry prizes, should preregister online at http://www.bikereg.com/events/register.asp?eventid=11396. The main race of the day will be a 25-mile race at 11:30 a.m., with a $2,000 prize, according to the registration site. Other categories and age groups, including junior races, will be held during the day, Cordasco said. Preregistration must be completed by 10 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 4, according to the website.

Participants in those races can score points toward the Garden State Cup, Cordasco said.

Cordasco said he considers the highlight of the day to be the childrens' races, starting for three-year-olds who still are using training wheels.