Bike race benefits youth program

Yumans can tighten their helmets and loosen up their limbs for the sixth annual Tour de Yuma this weekend.

The 30-mile bike race Saturday is sponsored by the Yuma Bike Club and will benefit young riders in in the program.

Registration is 7:30 to 8:45 a.m. Saturday at Cocopah Casino. Fees are $20 for individuals and $30 for tandem riders.

Tour de Yuma director Claudia Owens said there are 17 riders on the youth team.

Owens said events such as the Tour de Yuma help them pay for items such as bikes, maintenance, travel to competitions and clothing.

Joining the club helps members train, she said. "The kids have just improved so much. If you ride with people who are fast, you go faster."

Currently the club helps the youth team maintain 22 road bikes and 12 cruiser bikes.

"We cover everything for them," said Owens. "There's no way they'd be able to do everything on their own."

She said this year's race starts at Cocopah Casino, where they'll provide fruit and water for racers to get a little energy before they head off.

The race will proceed down County 15th and over the Area Service Highway, then return to the casino.

"So we're really glad that Cocopah came on board with this. It's a really good fit."

Owens said they're also remembering former president Doug Flynn, who died last year when a vehicle struck him and others on a morning ride.

The club is now helping promote bike safety throughout the area, she said, and is interested in having more road signs to help motorists understand that they should share the road.

"We want to make Yuma more bike friendly."

For more information about the event, to see a map of the race or for more information about the club, visit www.YumaBikeClub.com.