Bicyclists are gearing up for “The Breakthrough Tour”

     Bicyclists from all over the Midwest are expected to race in The Breakthrough Tour, a benefit for Operation Breakthrough, June 26-28. Visit the event website

     KCBike, a nonprofit group of more than 100 area cycling enthusiasts, is organizing the three-day event. Racing begins at 5:45 p.m. on Friday near Longview Community College. On Saturday, the fun moves to Downtown Lee’s Summit, from 2 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.  On Sunday, racing will take place in Downtown Kansas City, with a family fun ride for all ages and abilities taking off at 8 a.m. from the Power & Light District. Family ride entrants can choose a 5-mile ride through Downtown or a 25-mile ride. Registration for the family ride is $5 per person, $25 for those who want a commemorative T-shirt.

     The public is encouraged to come out to watch the racing, and admission is free.

     “These are fun events for spectators,” says Chad Marshall, KCBike founder. The racers complete multiple laps on a 1-mile circuit through city streets. “People who haven’t had the opportunity to see bike races up close will be amazed at how close the racers ride to each other and how fast they go.”

     There will also be free kids’ races for tricycles up through geared bikes all weekend.   

     Sponsors  of The Breakthrough Tour include SKC Communication Products Inc., the City of Kansas City, BKD, George K. Baum & Company, Lawyers Encouraging Academic Performance, Perceptive Software, 810 WHB, SMG and Premier Bank.  

     Any cyclist will be eligible to race if he or she has a license, and one-day licenses will be available at the events.

     “The staff has discouraged me from getting on a bike for this,” says Sister Berta, “but I’ll be out there to cheer the racers on. This is a great thing they are doing for our children.”

Visit the event website