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SOUTH COUNTY: Bicycle tour to ride amidst 4,000 acres of preserved land

Tour de Open Space will be held April 27

   The second annual “Tour de Open Space” bicycling event will roll through western Hunterdon County on Sunday, April 27, showcasing nearly 4,000 acres of preserved land.
   Sponsored by the private NJ Conservation Foundation, the tour will follow scenic roads bordering preserved farms, natural areas and historic sites along the Wickecheoke Creek.
   There are two 35-mile rides.
   One is on rolling terrain and the other on more challenging hills. The tour begins at the historic Prallsville Mill on Route 29 in Stockton, with the hilly ride leaving at 8:30 a.m. and the rolling ride leaving at 9. Registration opens at 8 a.m.
   Cyclists provide their own bikes. Helmets are mandatory. Free water bottles will be given to all registrants. Lunch at the end of the tour will be provided by the MOO Truck, a food truck serving burgers, salads and milkshakes.
   Landmarks along the ride include the Green Sergeant’s Bridge (New Jersey’s last functioning covered bridge) and the historic Locktown Stone Church.
   A rest stop midway through the rides will be held at a preserved farm along Pavlica Road in Delaware Township. Riders can enjoy snacks and drinks while checking out another local historic site — a cemetery with markers dating back to the 1700s.
   The cost for the event is $45 per person, and registration is limited to 300 cyclists. To register online, go to: donate.njconservation.org/2014-tour-de-open-space.
   For information, contact Bill Lynch at [email protected] or call 908-997-0725.
   Proceeds will support the conservation foundation’s mission of preserving land and natural resources.