Baltimore’s Tour du Port celebrates 12th anniversary

BALTIMORE (Map, News) - OK, it’s not like riding to Dundalk and back is the same as pedaling into Paris on the Champs-Elysees and crossing the Tour de France finish line under the Arc de Triomphe.

But to compete in the 12th annual Tour du Port, one doesn’t have to climb the French Alps, either.

The largest bicycle ride in Baltimore — about 1,500 are expected Sunday — has rides for all fitness levels: an 8-mile, 15-mile and 22-miler. And it’s definitely not a race.

“Basically, everyone has five hours to finish,” joked Stacey Mink, executive director of One Less Car, a statewide bicycle and pedestrian advocacy group and the ride’s sponsor. “It’s recreational, a family event.”

The longer the route, the more trains, tall ships, landmarks and historic neighborhoods, like Federal Hill, Fells Point and Canton, riders will pass.

“The Friends of Patterson Park are great, too,” Mink said. “They help out and we’ll have a rest stop at the Pagoda there.”

For beginners it’s easy. The tour comes with maps, van support, repair service and refreshments on the way. Lunch is included at a post-ride festival; so friends can see how much fun you have on the weekends, a colorful Tour du Port T-shirt is part of the package.

The event is also important to One Less Ride’s advocacy work, which encourages people to walk or ride a bike — rather than drive — while striving at the same time to make that more realistic. They advocate locally and lobby in the General Assembly each year on transportation issues.

“The streets aren’t closed, but riding in the morning and with a group of people, everyone will feel safe,” Mink said. “Hopefully, everybody makes the connection that this is something they can do.”

Everyone also makes the trip through Fort McHenry.

“That’s the highlight for me,” said Bob Carson, washing green paint off his hands Thursday after spraying green directional arrow markers along the route. “There is a bike path that goes around the perimeter of the Fort. You can see the Inner Harbor, Fells Point, Canton and the ‘outer’ harbor. It’s one of the most beautiful rides in Baltimore.”

Has Lance Armstrong or Floyd Landis ever ridden around Fort McHenry?

Registration is available online at www.onelesscar.org and at the Inner Harbor’s Rash Field on Sunday. The fee is $30 for adults and $20 for children younger than 13.

rcassie@baltimoreexaminer.com