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Tour de Cheese is Saturday
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Photo supplied Jim Vincent of Mikes Bike Haus at 1302 14th Ave. leans on Bike Seat Art created by Mike Purcell. Purcell is donating his functional art piece for a drawing. Vincent and Purcell mark the Tour de Cheese bike route and ride sag.
MONROE - Tour de Cheese Bike Tour begins at Chili Fest in downtown Monroe Saturday. Riders can choose to ride 15-, 30-, and 60-mile routes. Silver Lewis, Maple Leaf, and Grande cheese factories will participate as rest stops and showcase cheeses they make.

Riders will follow maps and clearly marked routes. Monroe Main Street, Badger State Ethanol/Smart Station, Colony Brands, Inc., Ehlke, Gartzke, Bero-Lehmann & Lounsbury, S.C., Glanbia Nutritionals, and Super 8 are sponsoring the bike tour.

"Tour de Cheese attracts people from outside our area," said event coordinator Jean Busker. "We have 30 pre-registrations. People from Stevens Point, Iowa City, and Chicago plan to ride. Many riders prefer to wait to register after they check the weather and their own energy level that morning."

Riders register on the northwest corner of the Monroe Square by the library between 7 and 9 a.m. Each rider receives a Tour de Cheese Bike Tour T-shirt and a route map. Registration fee is $40 per rider. For information call (608) 325-7855 or visit the website at www.bbbsgreen.kintera.org/tourdecheese

The event helps fund Big Brothers Big Sisters.