CLEWISTON -- A local bicycling enthusiast is planning a cycling tour of Hendry County on Saturday, Sept. 25 to benefit underserved children in the community.

Proceeds from the upcoming Tour de Hendry County Gran Fondo 2021 will be used to buy new bicycles for children through the Evangel Assembly of God in Clewiston.

“I'm a cyclist and all cyclists have a good heart,” said event organizer Dennis Chapman. “I figured we can host an event to raise money for bikes for kids in the community.”

Together with Evangel Assembly of God and Hendry County Tourism Development Council, both located in Clewiston, Chapman planned out an 84-mile scenic route with a police escort with two planned rest stops.

The primary focus will include the Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail that will lead participants through sugarcane, citrus, cattle, and panther country.

Each bike will have a tracking transponder that will tell when cyclists cross the start and finish lines. Top finishers will hand out the new bikes to the children after the race.

Hendry County Sheriff’s Office will provide the police escort, Chapman said, and while adults traverse the county, their children will have their own bike race at the church.

Chapman was introduced to Evangel Assembly of God through Erin Katniss Hitsman, tourism development coordinator at the tourism development council.

“I was very happy to assist in any way I could to help bring the event to fruition” she said. “We were able to secure a fantastic event venue at the Evangel Church in Clewiston and create a potential ongoing partnership with Pastor Mark Witt.”

Hitsman helped to facilitate the permit application information and Chapman worked with Hendry County’s permitting office to obtain it.

Chapman said response to the upcoming event has been good, with registrations from all over the country.

The Gran Route registration fee of $49 ($69 after Sept. 4) will cover race fee, coffee, aid stations stocked with water, sports drinks, fruits and carbohydrates, a tee shirt and lunch after the race.

“I am thankful for Pastor Mark Witt at Evangel Assembly of God who has donated his parking space, gymnasium, 20-foot by 40-foot tent, and his team will help with kids bike races,” Chapman said.

The event starts at 7:30 a.m. in the parking lot of the Evangel church, 350 S. Berner Road in Clewiston.

For more information, hotel information and registration instructions visit Tour de Hendry County Gran Fondo 2021 at  https://tourdehendrycounty.com/ or call 954-696-5857.