Tour de Putnam Called Best Yet

A group of cyclists leave the Putnam Veterans Memorial Park Sunday for the 100-mile tour. What a day for a bike ride!

Golden sunshine, low humidity and pleasant morning temperatures greeted some 988 cyclists last Sunday at the Putnam Veterans Memorial Park for the beginning of Putnam’s annual Tour de Putnam.

While the mercury climbed to 90 degrees later in the day, when the bikers departed between 7:30am and 8am, the temperature was a delightful 66 degrees.

Clint Underwood of Carmel called the tour weather conditions the “best we’ve seen in years.”

Putnam’s Director of Tourism Val Hickman agreed: “Fantastic, gorgeous weather makes Putnam County really shine. We are so lucky today!”

The large turnout was attributed to the northern California-type morning since more than 400 cyclists participated who had not previously registered. “Last minute registrations are always welcome,” Hickman said.

Putnam Tourism Director Val Hickman wishes two old friends well as they embark on the Tour de Putnam. Clint Underwood (right) of Carmel and Greg Avon of North Salem have been taking part in the 35-mile leg of the tour for years. Bikers took part in either a 15-mile, 35-mile or 100-mile trek. Hickman stressed that the Tour de Putnam was not a race: “People have the opportunity to view some of the world’s greatest scenery on their own time and their own pace. While a handful of bicycle clubs enjoy the speed and race each other, the overwhelming majority of participants take their time and enjoy

Mother Nature.”
Mary and Ferguson Finlay of Garrison ride a bicycle built for two.
A busy place Sunday is the tune-up shop where last minute repairs are made to several of the two-wheelers.
Deborah Weiss and Susan Leone, residents of Putnam Valley, enjoy each other’s company during the tour.