Welcome to Tour de Possum Creek 2008!
Primary Sponsor
Charter Communications is the primary sponsor of the Tour de Possum Creek.
Volunteers Needed!
Tour de Possum Creek needs your help! Please volunteer to assist with this year's race.
Update: 2008 ride results are now available.
This is the 11th year for the popular bicycle event, Tour de Possum Creek during the weeklong Fun Fest of Kingsport, TN. The Possum Creek Ridge Race, the 22 mile Tour and the 6 mile Family Fun Bicycle Ride will remain the same as last year. The Tour de Possum Creek Ridge Race will once again be electronically timed by RMS Sports. Also, since we are discussing time, the course length is 43 miles so the finishing times will be slower than in years before. We have dropped the 2 hour challenge and expect even the winners to finish in more than 2 hours. A time of 2.5 - 3 hours would be something for many riders to be proud of. Not only is the course longer, but as you may have noticed by the name, there will be almost twice the elevation gain compared to the 2006 course. Racers cross several ridges 5 times making the course more difficult in the first half of the course; however, the remaining miles are rolling and fast like a Classic European one day race. The race route will be marked with YELLOW ARROWS & POSSUMS. It is time to start training! Most of the corner markings still remain from last year, but until the course is totally painted, go to www.routeslip.com and check the routes for Yuma, VA for details.
The 11th Annual Tour de Possum Creek and Family Fun Bicycle Ride on Saturday, July 12 will be one of the first Kingsport Fun Fest events in 2008.
Last year there were over 1000 registrants who enjoyed pedaling their bicycles on three different routes along the beautiful back roads of Yuma, Virginia by the banks of Possum Creek.
The Family Fun Ride is the short and very flat ride on a new route along the Holston River beginning on Warm Springs Rd. off Yuma Rd. and has a rest stop halfway through the 6-mile ride at the turn-around near West Carter's Valley Rd. This is a "Show and Go" ride beginning at 10:00-10:30AM.
The Short Tour is a flat to rolling 22- mile route (perfect for tandem bikes) out through Poor Valley and back through Stanley Valley. Note: An optional 5- mile loop is available for riders who prefer a longer ride that offers a total of 27 miles.
The Possum Creek Ridge Race is a race against the clock on a hilly COURSE with twice the climbing of previous years. Riders in this 43 mile event will attempt to not only be the first over the finish but will be rewarded with CASH PRIZES of $1,500 for top 10 male finishers and top 3 women. The race will by timed by RMS sports of Marion, South Carolina using transponders similar to the timing system used in the other "Tour" in France each summer. New for 2008, we will have a Start-Mat at the Yuma School and have staggered start times based on racer's experience. This should reduce accidents and allow the more qualified racers to go first and avoid having 300+ cyclists rolling out together. Results will be posted quickly as riders cross the finish line, but timing will stop after 3.5 hours. Slower riders can still ride the course, but won't have a finish time posted.
Trophies will be awarded for the top 10 men, top 5 women and various age groups. The transponders will be collected a short distance after the finish line.
Each pre-registered rider will receive an awesome, colorful Tour de Possum Creek T-shirt, refreshments on the road, snacks afterward, and a chance to win one of three bicycles from Larry's Cycle Shop (Note: you must be present at the time of the drawing to win!).
Tour Schedule
The 22 mile tour and Possum Creek Ridge Race meet at the Yuma Elementary School in Yuma, Virginia on July 12, 2008. Registration begins at 7:00AM, the Possum Creek Ridge Race at 8:30AM, and the short 22.5-mile tour at 8:45AM. BE SURE TO SIGN-IN EARLY THE EVENING BEFORE ON JULY 11, 2008 AT J. FRED JOHNSON STADIUM TO AVOID THE MORNING RUSH ON RACE DAY.
The Family Fun Ride will start at 10:00-10:30AM at the new location on Warm Springs Rd just 1 mile down Yuma Rd on the left.
Registration for all rides except the Family Fun Ride will cost $15. There is no family discount for these rides. Late fee after July 9, 2008 will be $20.
The Family Fun Ride will cost $10.00 for single entrants and $30.00 for families of four or more.
The registration fee covers the T-shirt, refreshments, and snacks for each rider. There is no charge for infants or small children in bike trailers unless you want a T-shirt for them.
Registration forms will be available at the Fun Fest Store and at participating sponsor locations or you can register on-line from this website. These should be mailed to the Fun Fest Store or returned in person before closing time on Wednesday, July 9. After that time, riders may register for the Possum Creek Ridge Race and 22 mile tour at the Fun Fest store or on the morning of the ride by paying a late registration fee of $20.00.
To get your registration underway now, visit our registration page!
