Bicyclists ride along the Susquehanna riverfront during a past Tour de Belt.
After a lengthy hiatus, the Harrisburg area’s largest annual biking event will return live this year, capped by a new festival at the finishing line.
The Capital Area Greenbelt Association (CAGA) announced on Thursday that the Tour de Belt will return as an in-person ride after two years as a virtual, “ride-when-you-can” event.
“Tour de Belt is fun-filled event for bikers, walkers, runners, and their families that promotes healthy activity and environmental stewardship,” said Neelam Zaver, CAGA board member and Tour de Belt committee chair. “It also raises much-needed funds to support one of the capital region’s most beloved outdoor resources, the Greenbelt.”
In the Tour de Belt, participants loop around the 24-mile Capital Area Greenbelt at their own pace, starting on the main HACC campus in Harrisburg. This year’s event, which takes place June 5, will finish on the adjacent campus of Commonwealth Charter Academy, where a “Finish Line Fest” will be held, featuring live music and entertainment, food trucks and other fun activities, according to CAGA.
“We think that the addition of the Finish Line Fest, this will truly become a community event for everyone to enjoy,” Zaver said. “Even if you choose not to bike in the Tour de Belt, you can come out, have a good time, and support an important cause.”
The 22nd annual Tour de Belt joins a number of other annual area events that plan to return to their regular formats following two years of interruption by the COVID-19 pandemic. For instance, Harrisburg’s Ice & Fire Festival returns fully as an in-person event on March 5.
In past years, the Tour de Belt has brought in more than 1,000 registered participants and over 100 volunteers, and organizers said that they expect potentially record-breaking participation this year. A virtual option also will be available this year, according to CAGA.
Proceeds raised by the Tour de Belt and Finish Line Fest will benefit CAGA and will be used to support improvements and maintenance of the Greenbelt. In 2021, the budget for these efforts surpassed $7 million and included increased safety of trail crossings at intersections, newly paved sections of the trail, and completion of the new Fort Hunter connection, according to CAGA.
“We’re incredibly thankful for the support of our corporate sponsors, and encourage any local businesses or organizations interested in getting involved to reach out to us at caga@caga.org for more information,” Zaver said. “It’s not too late to be a part of this year’s event.”
To date, sponsors of the 2022 Tour de Belt and Finish Line Fest include Lancaster County Solid Waste Management Authority (platinum sponsor), Boyer & Ritter LLC, Daflure, Dauphin County Parks and Recreation, Faulkner Subaru, Pennsylvania American Water, RKL LLP, Starr Insurance Inc., and Wilson Consulting Group.
The 2022 Tour de Belt takes place June 5, beginning at 9 a.m., on the main campus of HACC in Harrisburg, with the Finish Line Festival beginning at 10 a.m. on the nearby campus of Commonwealth Charter Academy. For more information and to register, visit their website.
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