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There are many rides, but only one is America’s bicycle touring classic - The Tour of the Scioto River Valley, better known by its acronym, TOSRV. Say TOSRV to bicycle riders around the nation, and they’ll know you mean this event, which began as a father-and-son outing in 1962 before quickly growing into the nation’s largest bicycle touring weekend. In fact, TOSRV single-handedly raised the profile of the bicycle in American life and was the inspiration for many of the mass-participation cycling events so popular today across the country. TOSRV riders have come from across the country and have ranged in age from one to 93. This year’s TOSRV, scheduled for May 9-10, is expected to draw 3000 riders for what will be the 48th edition of this classic event. TOSRV is organized by Columbus Outdoor Pursuits (COP), an organization with a full range of noncompetitive outdoor activities. The TOSRV Route The traditional TOSRV starting and finishing point is the Ohio Statehouse grounds in downtown Columbus. Tour Registration (packet pick-up) will be held just south of the Statehouse at the Hyatt on Capitol Square at 75 E. State Street. Since the TOSRV route runs along the Scioto River Valley between Columbus and Portsmouth, our Saturday overnight location, it avoids the large hills of southern Ohio. The first 50 miles south of Columbus include some slight grades, and from mile 50 to mile 65 there are a series of short, steep hills. The remaining miles to Portsmouth are relatively flat for a total of 105 miles (169 kilometers) for the day. The Tour returns to Columbus on Sunday along the same route. TOSRV is not for the casual cyclist. To enjoy TOSRV you should have ridden at least 400 miles during the two months prior to the Tour including at least one 75-mile day. In addition, you, your bicycle, and equipment must be in top shape. Half TOSRV We also offer a Half TOSRV (or Tour of the lower Scioto River Valley). Riders choosing this option will start their ride on Saturday in Chillicothe, the halfway point on the full TOSRV route. They will bicycle to Portsmouth and return to Chillicothe on Sunday to finish their ride. The total distance will be about 100 miles. The cost of this option is the same as for a full TOSRV. Half TOSRV riders may pick up their registration packets either at the General Registration at the Hyatt on Capitol Square on Friday evening or in Chillicothe at the Half Tour start in Yoctangee Park on Saturday morning from 9:30 a.m. until noon. Half Tour rider luggage will be picked up and returned to Chillicothe, unless the Special Half Tour Baggage Option (outlined below) is used. Transportation between Columbus and Chillicothe is the responsibility of the Half TOSRV participant. Parking will be available for vehicles to be left in Chillicothe. TOSRV volunteers will direct you to the parking area. A map showing the location of Half Tour Registration will be sent to Half TOSRV riders with their acceptance letter and is also available on the website. You may also request a copy of this map by e-mailing the TOSRV Director (director@tosrv.org) or by calling the TOSRV hot line: (614) 461-6648. The Half Tour Baggage truck will be available for loading between 9:30 and noon in Chillicothe. The truck will depart Portsmouth to return to Chillicothe on Sunday at about 10:30 a.m. Half TOSRV riders who request Saturday overnight accommodations will be assigned to the Portsmouth Elementary School. The baggage shuttle to the Elementary School gym will return baggage to Chillicothe, NOT COLUMBUS. Riders who complete a Half TOSRV will receive a silver seal on their participation certificate. To sign up for Half TOSRV, check the appropriate box on your entry form. Special Half TOSRV Baggage Option Half Tour riders who request accommodations are assigned to the Portsmouth Elementary School. Half Tour riders wishing to use the Camping option or private accommodations may have their baggage transported to the TOSRV overnight location nearest to their final destination. To have Half Tour baggage sent to an overnight location other than the Elementary School, Half Tour riders must pick up their registration materials at Friday evening Registration, request the change in baggage tags at the Information table, and then place their baggage on the appropriate baggage truck on Saturday morning in Columbus. They will then proceed to Chillicothe, the Half Tour starting point. On Sunday morning, they will need to replace their baggage on the same truck to be returned to Columbus on Sunday afternoon, or they may place their luggage on the Elementary School truck to have it returned to Chillicothe. Food Your registration fee includes food on both Saturday and Sunday at stops located on the TOSRV route, spaced at approximately 25-mile intervals. The first food stop is located in Circleville, 25 miles south of Columbus. (If you want breakfast before you start the Tour Saturday morning, the Hyatt on Capital Square is offering a Breakfast Buffet starting at 5 a.m. in the Plaza Restaurant for $19.95 per person.) The other food stops are located in Chillicothe, the halfway point, and near Waverly, about 75 miles south of Columbus. The entry fee does not include Saturday dinner or Sunday breakfast but many Portsmouth area churches offer dinner options, and TOSRV provides hot chocolate and doughnuts on Sunday morning at the Crispie Creme Donut Shop. Your registration packet will include full details on food stop location and hours, and a list of dinner options in Portsmouth. First-Aid Stations TOSRV’s own First Response Teams will provide well-equipped first-aid volunteers at each food stop and at various points along the route. Weather Weather is a big part of the TOSRV challenge. While there have been a number of mild TOSRVs during the past four decades, the range of weather has run from cold downpours to unseasonable heat, with frequent headwinds. Many Tours have had some rain on both Saturday and Sunday mornings, although conditions often clear up later. Be prepared for anything and make sure your preparations provide for inclement weather. Emergency Transport Service Due to the great number of riders on the Tour, we will provide emergency transportation service to riders with serious health problems, injuries, or irreparable damage to bicycles. Be prepared to perform basic repairs (flat tires, minor adjustments, etc.) to your own bike. Those riders who simply tire or lack motivation will receive last priority from our emergency transportation system. We do conduct a sweep of the route at the end of each day to ensure that all riders are in. Central Ohio Amateur Radio Emergency Service radio vehicles will be spaced at two-mile intervals along the active part of the Tour route. Radio clubs from Circleville, Chillicothe, and Portsmouth also provide assistance. In the event of an emergency, this service may be used by riders to summon help. Sag Services To ensure the safety of all participants, TOSRV policy prohibits the
use of personal sagwagons on the Tour route. Personal sagwagons are permitted
to meet their respective riders at the food stops (at about 25-mile intervals)
by using Route 23, which parallels the TOSRV route. The SAG map is available
on the website and will also be available at Registration. Friday Night The TOSRV Registration at the Hyatt on Capitol Square will be the focus of activities before the Tour. Registration (packet pick-up and Day-Before-the-Ride Registration) will be open from 4:30 – 9:30 p.m. (and 5:00 – 8:30 a.m. Saturday (packet pick-up only)). In addition to Registration, the Hyatt will host a variety of vendors offering an assortment of bicycle equipment and clothing. The Hyatt also is offering a “Bottomless Bowl of Pasta” buffet with bread and butter for $17.95 at the Plaza Restaurant from 5:00 – 9:30 p.m. TOSRV riders can also take advantage of specially discounted Friday night room rates at the Hyatt. The TOSRV rider rate (excluding tax) is $119. Use Hyatt Online Reservations or call the Hyatt on Capitol Square directly at (614) 228-1234 or (800) 233-1234, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. before April 20, to receive the TOSRV special group rate. A special rate of $79 is also available on Sunday night. The room cut-off date is April 20, 2009. Sleeping bag space is available at the YMCA at 40 West Long St. for $15.00. You just need to show up at their door between 8:00 and 11:00 p.m. You may bring your bike into the YMCA with you. Your entry confirmation packet will include a map of downtown Columbus with the location of the City Center Parking Garage, a reasonably priced parking option (about $9.00 for the weekend). Your confirmation, acceptance letter, and Columbus Map will be sent by email if you registered online, or by snail mail if you mailed your registration to TOSRV. Saturday Night Shelter The TOSRV Saturday overnight accommodations will be located in several buildings in Portsmouth. Dry, indoor, floor sleeping spaces are available to all registered riders. You must provide your own sleeping bag. Showers will be available at these overnight locations; riders must provide their own soap and towels. All facilities now have great showers. Spartan Stadium (the Camping option) has a shower truck available to all registered TOSRV riders, with nearly limitless hot water. There will also be parking space available for self-contained camping vehicles, but no hook-ups. At the present time, ALL Portsmouth hotel and motel rooms are reserved on TOSRV Saturday night. Baggage Shuttle Baggage shuttle vehicles will carry your sleeping bag and other belongings to your assigned sleeping location in Portsmouth. Your baggage cannot weigh more than 40 pounds and is limited to a single bag except for baggage used for camping. Baggage will not be available to riders while enroute to Portsmouth. Baggage will be returned on Sunday after 11:00 a.m. to the loading area at the rear of the City Center, on the south side of the Hyatt on Capitol Square. Note that Half TOSRV baggage will be returned to Chillicothe to the Bolmer Shelter and not to Columbus, unless riders exercise their Special Half Tour Baggage Option. Helmets Required TOSRV policy requires that all entrants wear a CSPC-approved helmet. Age Requirement Under COP policy, children under 2 years of age cannot participate in TOSRV, either riding on a bike or being pulled in a trailer. A child must reach his or her second birthday by May 11, 2009 to participate. TOSRV Fees The TOSRV registration fee is $47.00 per person until March 15th, when it increases to $57. COP members may take a $10 discount. This basic entry fee includes 1) baggage transportation to Portsmouth and back to Columbus (or Chillicothe), 2) indoor floor sleeping space or camping in Portsmouth on Saturday night, 3) food and beverage enroute both days and donuts and hot chocolate in Portsmouth on Sunday morning, 4) an embroidered patch, 5) TOSRV identification number, and 6) a certificate of participation. Optional Extras Check your entry form in the appropriate boxes if you would like to purchase any of the following items. Your order will be available at Friday Night Registration. Prices include applicable sales tax.
Donations TOSRV is sponsored by Columbus Outdoor Pursuits, a 501(c)(3), not-for-profit organization, dedicated to providing outdoor recreational opportunities and training. All funds donated to TOSRV are in turn donated to efforts that improve cycling in Central Ohio, such as the Ohio to Erie Trail Fund and local bike trail construction, and are tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law. We appreciate those who donated funds in 2008. How to Enter There are three TOSRV Registration options.
TOSRV09 applications will be mailed on Feb 1, 2009 to all TOSRV08 participants, all Columbus Outdoor Pursuit members, and all who have requested a copy. Entry deadline is April 14 and entries are limited to the first 3500 riders. Refunds Refund requests must be sent by certified mail and postmarked by April 11, 2009. There will be no refunds after April 11, 2009. A $10 processing fee will be deducted from all refunds. Questions If you have additional questions, please visit our website at www.tosrv.org or send your inquiries to TOSRV with a stamped, self- addressed envelope. Please provide your complete return address in your letter. You may also call the TOSRV Hot line at (614) 461-6648 between 5:30 p.m. and midnight or e-mail . TOSRV 2009 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
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