Saturday Ride June 3rd- 8am from IVA- Safe Harbor Ride

The Safe Harbor II Ride will leave from the Civic Center of Iva which is located at 205 W. Jackson Street. This is 2 blocks off of the main drag which is Hwy. 81 that runs north/south through Iva. There will be a mass start at 8:30 on Saturday morning, June 3. As for reasons to do this ride, I can guarantee you these are some of the most lightly-traveled and beautiful roads you're going to find in the Upstate -- and I know that's saying a lot 'cuz I've done darned near ever ride there is to do in the Upstate over the years. Plus, it's not a tremendously challenging route, but it will have its moments. If you take note as you drive through this area, Iva is surrounded by lakes. But at the same time, there are all kinds of radio relay towers nearby, and they only put those in high spots. So the ride does involve a few nice hills here and there. Cumulative elevation gain for the metric century is just over 3,200 feet. There's also a 25 mile ride with about 1,400 feet of "climbing" (not that you'd really call it climbing). This ride is through some very historic countryside. We'll circumnavigate Lake Secession which is named because this area is where the seeds of the Civil War were planted. It's mostly rural and agricultural now. There's some recreational activity around the lake. We'll also spend a lot of time in Mennonite country which is peaceful, quiet and well-kept. I'm preparing maps and route sheets, but I plan to mark the route so nobody should have to refer to those. I like to ride fast and I'm nuts about routes being marked properly with arrows well in advance of turns, etc. I'm going to see to it that this course is VERY well marked. It should be a good route for folks who want to come out and blitz a fast metric, as well as a great route to linger and enjoy the countryside. Beyond all that, the ride benefits Safe Harbor which is an organization dedicated to providing temporary safe shelter for victims of family violence and their children. You can pre-register at www.active.com through May 26 for $30 or after that (day of) registration is $35. All pre-registered riders are guaranteed a T-shirt and late registers can get one while supplies last.>>>>>>Bob C.