
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: TUESDAY, June 22, 1993                   TAG: 9306220260
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C4   EDITION: NEW RIVER 
SOURCE: PAUL DELLINGER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: WYTHEVILLE                                LENGTH: Short

`TENT CITIES,' SHOWER TRUCK REFRESH CYCLISTS

More than 1,200 bicyclists from 32 states set up a "tent city" Monday in Withers Park as part of this year's Bike Virginia trip through Southwest Virginia.

Since the trip began Friday, the bicyclists spent previous nights in Bristol, Abingdon and Marion. They will head for Galax today before completing their journey Wednesday in Floyd.

The bikers set up the "tent city" at each stop and then pack it up and move it the next day, said Allan Turnbull of Williamsburg, the tour director. Support services include a truck which can be set up to provide showers, and a communications center with bulletin boards for messages to and from the biking trip participants.

Shower facilities at McWane Pool at Withers Park supplemented those provided by the truck.

Biker luggage is loaded into different sections of accompanying vehicles so bikers can reclaim it more easily at stops.

"There are lots of little things we try to do to make it easier for the cyclists," Turnbull said.

The bikers travel 50 to 60 miles a day. About half of them are from Virginia, and the others are from states as far away as California, Turnbull said.

The oldest cyclist is a 75-year-old man from Ohio, he said; the youngest is a 16-month-old boy riding with his father.

This sixth annual Bike Virginia tour will give part of the proceeds from participants' entry fees to the Virginia Special Olympics.

by CNB