A discovery ride: The 6th annual Tour de Plantersville set for Oct. 26 on Hammock Coast®

A discovery ride: The 6th annual Tour de Plantersville set for Oct. 26 on Hammock Coast®

Bicyclists from far and wide will soon descend on South Carolina’s Hammock Coast® a discovery ride and cultural festival featuring a 12-, 25- and 62-mile ride.

The 6th annual Tour de Plantersville is set for Saturday, Oct. 26, from 7:15 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Plantersville Elementary School.

Cyclists of all skill levels and ages annually enjoy this signature autumn event. Participants take a leisurely bike ride along shady streets in the historic Plantersville community of Georgetown County, which offers the only scenic byway on the Hammock Coast, and then enjoy music, food, and unique crafts.

Registration for the 6th annual Tour de Plantersville is now open. The event, organized by The Village Group, will take riders along the Plantersville Scenic Byway, showcasing the area’s rice farming history and various Colonial-era landmarks.

Along the byway and throughout the ride there are 10 plantations from the Colonial-era that are part of the region’s rich rice farming history. These sites feature several pre-Civil War landmarks – mansions, slave houses, churches, rice chimneys and other ruins.

Volunteers will be manning designated stops along the ride. Water, snacks and restrooms will be available.

“The excitement is brewing in Plantersville for our big cycling event and cultural festival,” said Maranda Johns, development officer for the Village Group. “If you haven’t registered yet, you still have time.”

The ride is perfect for avid cyclists training for their next race or families wanting to share a healthy adventure together.

Again this year, the event will offer newly crafted medals for cycling participants with each ride distance indicated on the ribbon. The medals highlight the classic Tour de Plantersville logo and recognize this year’s Title Sponsor, South Carolina’s Hammock Coast. Event participants can plan their stay and learn more about the area by visiting the Hammock Coast website.

A photo booth will be set up at the finish line at Plantersville Elementary School so people can post photos online.

“We hope to create a Tour de Plantersville Group on Facebook if there is enough interest, so keep us informed,” Johns said. “Please visit our Facebook page and like and tag us with your photos on the day of the event.”

Mark A. Stevens, director of tourism development for the Georgetown County Chamber of Commerce, said, “The scenic beauty of Georgetown County has drawn visitors from all around the world to experience South Carolina’s Hammock Coast, be it our pristine beaches, our famed historic sites, or the picturesque inland communities like Plantersville.”

“The Hammock Coast is honored to once again be the Title Sponsor for the 5th annual Tour de Plantersville. We know this event is not only one local residents look forward to each year, but it is also a draw for tourists seeking a memorable autumn vacation,” Stevens said. “What could be better on a crisp fall day than to take off on your bicycle along some of the most beautiful scenery in South Carolina?”

Registration information can be found on the Tour de Plantersville website. Make sure to fill in all of the registration information and sign a waiver form online. Registration includes a Tour de Plantersville T-shirt and a food voucher for one of the participating food truck vendors.

Packet pick-ups will be on Thursday, Oct. 24, from 2-6 p.m., and Friday, Oct. 25, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Georgetown County Chamber of Commerce and Hammock Coast Visitor Center in the Litchfield community of Pawleys Island (28 Wall Street, Pawleys Island). Riders who are coming from out of town can pick up packets at the registration table beginning at 6:45 a.m. the day of the event.

Interested riders who don’t have bikes can rent them and have them delivered to the event. The Tour de Plantersville partners with Cyclopedia in Pawleys Island or Pee Dee Bicycle Company in Myrtle Beach. Click the links to their websites and secure bike rentals today.

Three rides

Bike riders will have three routes to choose from. The shortest route available is the 12-mile route, with lineup at 8:30 a.m., which introduces riders to the community of Plantersville. Participants will ride through the Jackson Village community, see historic cemeteries and churches, ride along the forests and wetlands along the Plantersville Scenic Byway and have the opportunity to see a historic plantation along the Waccamaw River.

The 25-mile route, with a lineup at 8 a.m., adds an additional plantation site and extends the trip along the full length of the Plantersville Scenic Byway.

Again this year, there will be a full metric century ride of 100 km (62 miles), starting at 7:15 a.m., which travels through scenic farms and forests of Georgetown County, and also goes past the Georgetown County Rocky Point Boat Landing along the Black River, as well as historic and scenic locations along the Waccamaw River.

You can find GPS route maps on the website or use these links: 62-mile ride, 25-mile ride, 12-mile ride. The three rides will have staggered start times, with the 62-mile ride starting first at 7:15 a.m., the the 25-mile ride at 8 a.m. and the 12-mile ride at 8:30 a.m.

“We have volunteers at several rest stops throughout the route sharing water, restroom locations, and snacks to help keep you going,” Johns said.

Cultural Festival

The Cultural Festival kicks off at 9 a.m. at 1668 Exodus Drive, Georgetown, and offers fun for the entire family and folks of all ages. It is an opportunity to relax and enjoy the beauty of the area or to get up and dance to the beat. Bring your lawn chair and lounge under the tall pine trees while listening to live tunes from Mystic Vibrations and All the Way Live.

Sample culinary treats offered by the Plantersville Hunting Club for a donation or purchase savory traditional foods from our delectable food truck options. Plan on a day that re-charges your “batteries” and creates happy memories. Get an early start on your Christmas shopping and visit the unique vendors offering local products. The event location has a playground and offers planned children’s activities like face painting, arts & crafts, musical instruments, and Double Dutch jump rope lessons from the Georgetown Chapter of the 40+ Double Dutch Club. It will be a fun-filled day for everyone. Admission is free and there will be plenty of parking.

For more information or questions about the cultural festival, email takinwumi@thevillagegroup.org or call 843-344-2725.

Tour de Plantersville supports The Village Group of Georgetown County, SC, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2005. The Village Group strengthens the community by making positive changes in the lives of children.  All contributions to The Village Group are tax deductible.

About South Carolina’s Hammock Coast

Georgetown County’s casual charm and Southern hospitality earned it the nickname Hammock Coast. Adventure and relaxation blend together in perfect harmony, like the flowing and ebbing of waves on the county’s famed beaches. With six communities – Garden City, Murrells Inlet, Litchfield, Pawleys Island, Georgetown and Andrews – comprising the pristine coastal area between Myrtle Beach and Charleston, visitors can experience South Carolina’s Hammock Coast like never before.

For more information about all of the Hammock Coast, visit www.HammockCoastSC.com.

By Clayton Stairs / tourism manager for the Georgetown County Chamber of Commerce and South Carolina’s Hammock Coast