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America's
Bicycle Touring Classic
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 two to 93. TOSRV/51, scheduled for May 12-13, 2012, is expected to draw about 3000 riders for the 51st edition of this classic event. TOSRV is organized by Columbus Outdoor Pursuits (COP), an organization with a full range of noncompetitive outdoor activities. Three Ways to Ride TOSRV TOSRV/51 has three riding options:
All three options will include the party at Tracy Park in Portsmouth where you can enjoy live music, food, and drinks. Classic TOSRV The traditional TOSRV starting and finishing point is the Ohio Statehouse in downtown Columbus. Tour Registration (packet pick-up) will be held at the Sheraton 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 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. One-Way TOSRV This new option follows the traditional TOSRV route to Portsmouth on Saturday, gives riders time to shower, eat, and enjoy the party in Tracy Park, and then return them (with their bikes) to Columbus by bus. Note: this option is only available online and limited to 400 riders. Half TOSRV Route 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 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 Sheraton 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. The lunch provided at Chillicothe Yoctangee Park will be the main lunch for the Half Tour rider. Half Tour rider baggage will be picked up and returned to Chillicothe, unless the Special Half Tour Baggage Option is used. You should use the Special Half Tour Baggage Option if you camp or are lucky enough to have hotel space. See the tosrv.org website for what you need to do to for the Half Tour Baggage Option. Transportation between Columbus and Chillicothe is the responsibility of the Half TOSRV participant. Parking will be available for vehicles left in Chillicothe. TOSRV volunteers will direct you to the designated parking area. Riders who complete Half TOSRV will receive a silver seal on their participation certificate. Food The 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 at Ted Lewis Park, 25 miles south of Columbus. The other food stops are located in Chillicothe, the halfway point; and near Waverly, about 75 miles south of Columbus. The Sheraton is offering a Breakfast Buffet Saturday morning starting at 5 a.m. in the Plaza Restaurant for $15.95 per person (if you’d like something before you start out.) The entry fee does not include Saturday dinner but many Portsmouth churches offer reasonably-priced options. TOSRV provides donuts and hot chocolate at the Crispie Creme shop at Gallia and Waller on Sunday morning. Pancake impresario Chris Cakes will be set up at All Saints Church for a heartier fare (not included in the TOSRV fees). Please refer to the Portsmouth map in your registration packet for all options. First-Aid Stations The TOSRV First Response Teams will provide first-aid and first response services at each food stop and along the Tour route. Weather Weather is a big part of the TOSRV challenge. While there have been a number of mild TOSRVs during the past five decades, the range of weather has run from cold downpours to unseasonable heat, with frequent headwinds. We had our most severe headwinds ever just a couple of years ago. 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. Riders who simply tire or lack motivation will receive last priority from our emergency transportation system; however we will 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 discourages 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) but must travel between them using Route 23, which parallels the TOSRV route. A SAG map is available on the website and will also be available at Registration. We also offer Sag Crew registration, which provides meals at the food stops and overnight accommodations for Sag crews for $15 each. This option is on the entry form. Friday Night TOSRV Registration at the Sheraton on Capitol Square will be the focus of activities before the Tour. Registration will be open from 4:30 to 9:30 p.m. (and 5:00 to 8:30 a.m. Saturday). In addition to Registration, the Sheraton will host a variety of vendors offering an assortment of bicycle equipment and clothing. The Sheraton also is offering a ‘Bottomless Bowl of Pasta’ buffet for $20.95 at the Plaza Restaurant from 5:00 to 9:30 p.m. TOSRV riders can also take advantage of specially discounted Friday night room rates at the Sheraton. The TOSRV rider rate (excluding tax) starts at $124. Use the link www.starwoodmeeting.com/Book/tosrv or call the Sheraton on Capitol Square directly at: (614) 228-1234, and ask for the TOSRV discount on or before April 21. The Sheraton is also offering a special Sunday night rate of $84. 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. Weekend parking is available at the Statehouse underground garage after 6:00 p.m. Friday until Sunday afternoon for $14.00. Other downtown garages are priced from $22.00 to $28.00 for the weekend. Your confirmation, acceptance letter, and Columbus map will be sent by email if you registered online, or by regular 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 overnight locations; riders must provide their own soap and towel. Spartan Stadium (Camping) has a shower trailer 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 sleeping bags and other belongings to assigned sleeping locations in Portsmouth. Baggage may not weigh more than 40 pounds and is limited to a single bag except for camping. Baggage will not be available to riders while en route to Portsmouth. Baggage will be returned on Sunday after 11:00 a.m. to the Broad Street side of the Statehouse for pick up (please refer to the Columbus map). 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 their second birthday by May 12, 2012 to participate. TOSRV Fees For Classic and Half TOSRV the registration fee is $57 per person until March 15th, when it will increase to $67. COP members receive a $10 discount. The 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 en route both days and donuts and hot chocolate in Portsmouth on Sunday morning, 4) a marked route, 5) first aid and communication services, 6) an embroidered patch, 7) TOSRV identification number, and 8) a certificate of participation. The One-Way TOSRV registration fee is $110 per person. You will get the same services available to every rider on Saturday. You will also get a shower in Portsmouth. Bicycle transport back to Columbus via 28 foot box trucks, and personal transport back via school bus. 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 devoted to efforts that improve cycling in Central Ohio, and are tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law. We appreciate those who donated funds in 2011. How to Enter There are three TOSRV Registration options:
Refunds Refund requests must be sent by certified mail and postmarked by April 10, 2012. There will be no refunds after April 10, 2012. A $10 processing fee will be charged on all refunds. Questions If you have additional questions please visit our website at www.tosrv.org or send your inquiries to TOSRV/51 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 and 10:00 p.m., or e-mail
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