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Tour de Lakeland was open to competitive cyclists and recreation cyclists . Pretty much anyone who wanted to take a ride through rural parts of the suburban community was welcome .
The focus of the ride on May 14 , wasn ’ t about first-place winners . It was all about Lakeland and letting it shine . The objective was to introduce Lakeland to some and reintroduce Lakeland to others , all while spotlighting a few local landmarks and raising funds for the Lakeland Education Foundation .
Approximately 274 cyclists taking part in the ride that started and ended at Delta Blues Winery , where in conjunction with the day ’ s ride the Lakeland Spring Festival was held . The festival was a collaboration between the Lakeland Area Chamber of Commerce and Durham School Service . Both events raised funds for Lakeland schools .
Tour de Lakeland featured a 5- mile , 25-mile or a 50-mile course . Depending on which course cyclists took determined how many local landmarks they would see . The course started at the winery on that opened last year located on Stewart Road . That was the first landmark that all cyclists got a close up of . Other landmarks included Garner Lake , new and existing subdivisions , Lakeland Elementary , the future site of Lakeland Middle Preparatory School , future site of Lakeland Commons , ChrisLeigh Farms and the Covered Bridge , Trinity Farms Equestrian Center , I . H . Clubhouse and Pavilion ,
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Top : Approximately 274 cyclists took part in the Tour de Lakeland bike ride spotlighting landmarks like Garner Lake on a course through East Shores , Saturday , May 14 , before ending at Delta Blues Winery where Lakeland Spring Festival was underway in conjunction with the ride that raised funds for the Lakeland Education Foundation .
Bottom : Cyclists got a close up look at beautiful Garner Lakeland as they took a ride through East Shores subdivision during Tour de Lakeland , Saturday , May 14 .
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Lakeland parks , and Memphis Propbusters , hobby aircraft flying center .
Alan Johnson , vice chair of the Lakeland Economic Development Committee birthed the idea for the inaugural tour ride through Lakeland . “ I ride , and I thought it would be nice to spotlight the many great landmarks around Lakeland while helping raise money for education ,” said Johnson . “ We achieved these objectives and had fun doing it .”
The end of each course led cyclists back to the winery where family members were entertained with fun and games . There was even an obstacle course for the kids offered by Orange Therapy . Ted Horrell , superintendent of the Lakeland School System , and his band Monday Night Card supported Tour de Lakeland and the Spring Festival by entertaining the crowd with live music on the amphitheater stage . Despite the cancelation of the hot air balloon rides due to heavy winds , the Spring Festival was a big hit too . Talent acquisition coordinator , Shelley Kemp with Durham School Services , supporter of the hot air balloon rides announced that the rides will be rescheduled at a later date to be announced .
Lakeland businesses supported the collaborated events that raised funds for the community ’ s elementary school and future middle by donating goods and services for an impressive silent auction . Johnson says Tour de Lakeland will be held again next
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year and thereafter . “ Lakeland , as a city , is just now beginning to take off . I think people will be excited to see the positive changes that occur in our community , year after year ,” he said . “ Hopefully some will want to move here ....”
Dylan Tribo , 5 , looks on as Elena Tribo , 9 , spins the prize wheel during the Lakeland Spring Festival held in conjunction with the Tour de Lakeland that started and ended at Delta Blues Winery in North Lakeland , Saturday , May 14 .
Ted Horrell ( pictured ), superintendent of Lakeland School System and the Monday Night Card supported the event by entertaining guests as they took the amphitheater stage at Delta Blues Winery .
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