Photos by TOM BRIGLIA of Photo Graphics/The 2023 LeTour Downbeach Bike ride through all of Absecon Island Sunday June 4, 2023
Motorists are being cautioned to look out for bicyclists Sunday morning as two major bicycle events pass through Downbeach towns.
First up is the annual LeTour de Downbeach event, which is celebrating its 15th year traveling Absecon Island towns.
This year’s event honors one of its founding members, Ann Marie Wiesen, who died last year. Her husband, Mike Wiesen, owner of the AAAA Bike Shop in Ventnor, said the event, which attracts hundreds of participants, is one of the “happiest times of the year.”
The leisurely ride starts at 9:30 a.m. on the Ventnor City Boardwalk at Newport Avenue, travels to Atlantic City where it will turn around at Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall, and then travel on Atlantic Avenue all the way to Longport and back to the finish at Amherst and Washington avenues.
Margate police advise motorists to be cautious driving along Atlantic Avenue during the event. A section of North Washington Avenue will be closed to traffic at the conclusion of the ride, when cyclists will enjoy a barbeque in the parking lot at Tomatoe’s restaurant.
American Cancer Society Bikeathon.Also making an impact on roadways is the 52nd annual American Cancer Society Bridge to the Beach Bike-a-Thon, which this year travels from the Ben Franklin Bridge in Philadelphia, and ends at Ski Beach in Ventnor.
More than 1,500 bicyclists are expected to participate in the fundraiser, which benefits those living with cancer and their families through advocacy, research and patient support. There are several legs to the ride with bicyclists traveling to Ventnor from 60, 30 and 19 miles away.
Motorists should expect delays starting at 8 a.m. on Rt. 40/Albany Avenue from Exit 2 of the Atlantic City Expressway, West End/Wellington Avenue from Albany Avenue to Dorset Avenue. Road closures include Dorset Avenue between Marshall and Burk avenues, and Burk Avenue between Burghley and Surrey avenues.
Ventnor City police have advised motorists to share the road, be courteous to the riders and obey all traffic postings.
