Lone Star Cyclists host 29th year of Tour d’Italia bike ride centered in Italy

Image: City of Italy’s mayor, James Hobbs, welcomes a cyclist from Tyler to our fair city for the 29th Annual 2014 Tour d’Italia Bicycle race that set an event record with 1,175 cyclists participating from around the country.

City of Italy’s mayor, James Hobbs, welcomes a cyclist from Tyler to our fair city for the 29th Annual 2014 Tour d’Italia Bicycle race that set an event record with 1,175 cyclists participating from around the country. (Barry Byers)

Image: Cyclists gather at the corner of College and Park Street in Italy for the start of the Tour d’Italia bike ride that offers many routes thru Ellis, Navarro and Hill counties before returning to Italy to cross the finish line.

Cyclists gather at the corner of College and Park Street in Italy for the start of the Tour d’Italia bike ride that offers many routes thru Ellis, Navarro and Hill counties before returning to Italy to cross the finish line. (Barry Byers)

Image: Mayor Hobbs presents Lone Star Cyclists president, David Shuford, with the official event proclamation and a golden key to the City of Italy.

Mayor Hobbs presents Lone Star Cyclists president, David Shuford, with the official event proclamation and a golden key to the City of Italy. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gearing up for the ride.

Gearing up for the ride. (Barry Byers)

Image: Looking forward to a fun day.

Looking forward to a fun day. (Barry Byers)

Image: Enjoying a relaxing moment before the start of the bike ride.

Enjoying a relaxing moment before the start of the bike ride. (Barry Byers)

Image: This rider volunteers his vocal services during the playing of the pre-ride anthem.

This rider volunteers his vocal services during the playing of the pre-ride anthem. (Barry Byers)

Image: Tour d’Italia bicyclists display their patriotism.

Tour d’Italia bicyclists display their patriotism. (Barry Byers)

Image: After traveling into Italy from different parts of the country, everyone felt united during a special moment before the start of their rides.

After traveling into Italy from different parts of the country, everyone felt united during a special moment before the start of their rides. (Barry Byers)

Image: And their off!!!

And their off!!! (Barry Byers)

Image: Cyclists continue to proceed down College Street. So many colors…

Cyclists continue to proceed down College Street. So many colors… (Barry Byers)

Image: Many riders focus in on their goal with the available Tour d’Italia bike routes ranging from 12 to 63 miles.

Many riders focus in on their goal with the available Tour d’Italia bike routes ranging from 12 to 63 miles. (Barry Byers)

Image: Tour d’Italia is great for bike enthusiasts to take in the countryside.

Tour d’Italia is great for bike enthusiasts to take in the countryside. (Barry Byers)

Image: A determined look.

A determined look. (Barry Byers)

Image: Local cyclists, Stevan Varner and his daughter Jill Varner, prepare to take on the 30 mile route challenge.

Local cyclists, Stevan Varner and his daughter Jill Varner, prepare to take on the 30 mile route challenge. (Barry Byers)

Image: Here’s a unique 3-wheeled cycle.

Here’s a unique 3-wheeled cycle. (Barry Byers)

Image: Aaawww, a bicycle built for two…

Aaawww, a bicycle built for two… (Barry Byers)

Image: This rider gives a thumbs up for Tour d’Italia in Italy!

This rider gives a thumbs up for Tour d’Italia in Italy! (Barry Byers)

Image: More enthusiastic riders!

More enthusiastic riders! (Barry Byers)

Image: And another thumbs up as riders continue to roll thru the starting line.

And another thumbs up as riders continue to roll thru the starting line. (Barry Byers)

Image: A low rider.

A low rider. (Barry Byers)

Image: Now that’s a Tour d’Italia smile!

Now that’s a Tour d’Italia smile! (Barry Byers)

Image: Don Riddle, Linda Goodman and Pastor Joseph Barrett enjoy watching the Tour d’Italia participants peddle past.

Don Riddle, Linda Goodman and Pastor Joseph Barrett enjoy watching the Tour d’Italia participants peddle past. (Barry Byers)

Image: Meanwhile, back at Tour d’Italia headquarters…Italy High School National Honor Society members arrived bright and early to help sell shirts and other items for the event. Volunteering NHS members were Julissa Hernandez, Levi McBride, Cody Boyd, Ryan Connor and Madison Washington.

Meanwhile, back at Tour d’Italia headquarters…Italy High School National Honor Society members arrived bright and early to help sell shirts and other items for the event. Volunteering NHS members were Julissa Hernandez, Levi McBride, Cody Boyd, Ryan Connor and Madison Washington. (Barry Byers)

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