History
The tour was started in 1962 by Charles and Greg Siple, a father and son, and grew from there to become one of the largest bicycling tours in America, having 2,672 riders in 2010. The most riders the tour ever hosted was in 1989 with 6,650 riders. A staggered start was necessary beginning in 1973 when the tour reached 2,500 cyclists. People come from all over the nation and Canada to ride TOSRV. Charlie Pace was named director of the tour in 1967 and retired after the 50th anniversary ride in 2011. The tour is now an important part of the culture in Portsmouth, which is known as the city of murals for the colorful depictions of its history on the flood walls. One of the murals is a depiction of the tour.Support team
Sag services are provided for registered riders. Every two miles there is a support team vehicle on the side of the road in case of emergencies such as serious bicycle damage, or injury all day until 9:00 at night when the tour ends. In front of the state building Saturday morning there is a truck to put baggage, sleeping bags and any other materials riders don't want to carry with them on the ride to Portsmouth. Food is provided at the three stops, Circleville, Chillicothe, and Waverly spaced about 25 miles apart.Half TOSRV
Less experienced riders or riders who do not like the idea of spending a whole day on a bike can opt for the half TOSRV in which cyclists ride from Chillicothe to Portsmouth on Saturday and return to Chillicothe on Sunday. The half TOSRV riders still receive full support.Overnight accommodation
TOSRV registration and hotel accommodation are at the Hyatt on Capital Square in downtown Columbus. The Hyatt allows participants to keep their bikes in their rooms and has discounted rates for the weekend. Once in Portsmouth Saturday night, there are many overnight options. Included in the entry fee is overnight stay in Spartan Stadium camping. An alternative option is the YMCA for $17. All hotels and motels in the area fill up rather quickly around January.Safety
In 2008, William Crowley, was killed on Route 23 during the tour. According to State Highway Patrol he was struck from behind by a sport-utility vehicle. The director of the tour said that this is not the designated route, but that some cyclists chose to take it to save some time. However Route 23 is not as safe as Route 104, the designated route. This was the first fatality of the tour in its almost 50-year history. After the incident TOSRV cautioned riders from riding outside the designated route. All participants are required to wear a helmet. Riders of the tour consider the ride to be a safe one. The radio stations in central Ohio and along the tour in Circleville, Chillicothe, Waverly, and Portsmouth all broadcast messages letting drivers know to be alert and courteous of bikers during the weekend.Route
The cyclists share the road with drivers for the day. Most of the route is on two-lane country roads. The route is marked with spray paint on the road and with signs at crucial turns. The 2010 tour included an extra 8 miles each way due to a detour since a bridge was closed for repairs. The detour was between the Chillicothe and Waverly stops, which is the longest and hilliest part of the ride.Tour Directors
Founded by the Siple FamilyAssistant Tour Directors
19xx - 19xxBibliography
* ''The Mighty TOSRV: A 25-year Illustrated History of Tour of the Scioto River Valley'' - Columbus Council of American Youth Hostels; First edition (1986)References
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