KalTour 2025, Sunday, June 29th

Now in its 33rd year, the Kalamazoo Scenic Bicycle Tour (KalTour) is the Kalamazoo Bicycle Club’s annual cycling event designed for bicyclists of many ages and abilities. Distances range from 15 to 62 miles. Our start location at the Wind + James Event Center in Schoolcraft offers easy access to low-traffic, flat, country roads.

In addition to paved road routes, KalTour will have gravel road routes of 32 and 64 miles.  Remember that riding on gravel is more work than riding on pavement, and the longer gravel route has a few hills as well to complete the route.

For the safety of our volunteers and riders, COVID precautions will be followed.  Masks will be required for all riders when not riding or seated for eating.  Instructions from servers and posted directions must be followed when obtaining food and drink.

The Routes

All routes leave from Wind + James Event Center in Schoolcraft. See below for directions to the start. KalTour 2025 routes will be similar to those used in 2024. The updated maps will be added later. Routes may be followed using pavement markings, paper maps, or “Ride with GPS” map files.

2025 Scheduled KBC Ride Groups for KalTour are listed below.  Arrive early to check-in and be ready to roll out before the indicated time.  Check out KBC’s FaceBook page for last minute updates.  See you Sunday!

Road Routes:

• 62 miles (100 K or metric century)
• 50 miles (half century)
• 31 miles (50 K)
• 15 miles

You may choose your distance on the day of the ride.

How much does KalTour cost?

• • How much does KalTour cost?
    • Online registration for KalTour is available through the Bikereg website at https://www.bikereg.com/kbc-kaltour
    • EARLY BIRD On-line Registration before Memorial Day or rider capacity of 250 is reached:
      • $45 for individuals ($10 discount for KBC members)
      • $90 for families of up to 2 adults and minor children ($20 discount for KBC family members).
    • On-line Registration through June 27
      • $50 for individuals ($10 discount for KBC members)
      • $95 for families of up to 2 adults and minor children ($20 discount for KBC family members).
    • Day of Registration
      • $55 for individuals ($10 discount for KBC members)
      • $100 for families of up to 2 adults and minor children ($20 discount for KBC family members).

How do I register for KalTour?

Online registration for KalTour is available through the Bikereg website at https://www.bikereg.com/kbc-kaltour

* KBC Members – Be sure to log into your account to get a discounted registration *

Schedule

• Registration is open from 7:00 am to 11:00 am
• Metric Century riders must start no later than 9:00 am
• 50 mile riders must start no later than 10:00 am
• 4:00 pm – Course closes
• Fast ride group (62 miles) leaves at 9:00 am.
• Moderate pace ride group (31 miles) leaves at 9:30 am.
• Escorted 10 mile ride leaves at 10:00 am.
• Lunch is available beginning at 10 am.
• Course closes at 4:00 pm.
• Watch this space and the KBC Facebook page for additional ride groups!

Ride Groups

It’s more fun to ride with a group! KBC will provide sanctioned ride leaders for some of the routes listed above. Specific information (start time and pace) will be included in an email sent from the event director closer to the date of the event.

KalTour Routes on Ride with GPS

The following link will take you to the KalTour event page on Ride with GPS.  You may view and download all of the planned routes for KalTour 2025.

https://ridewithgps.com/events/354168-kaltour-2025

Please note that the planned routes may be changed slightly due to road construction and/or pavement conditions.

Amenities

• Fruit, water, and restrooms are available at the start. All routes except the 15 mile route will stop at least once at Scotts Mill County Park, a working nineteenth century flour mill. The Scotts Mill rest stop will offer fruit, snacks, cookies, and sports drink. The 15 mile route offers a stop at Prairie View County Park for water and restroom facilities.

• Lunch will be offered at the end of the ride. In addition to sandwiches, chips, cookies, and watermelon, we will take advantage of the facilities of our start location to offer root beer floats! (Vegetarian and gluten-free options will be available.)
• Beautiful rest stops with toilet facilities.
• Plenty of sandwiches (including vegetarian, gluten-free, and non-dairy choices), cookies, trail mix, and fruit
• Watermelon after the ride
• Additional fruit, cookie, and water stops on the 62 and 100 mile routes
• Routes maps and color-coded pavement marking at all turns and intersections
• Ride with GPS maps and cue sheets for all routes
• Support vehicles in case of breakdowns

KalTour Ride Safety

• All riders must wear helmets and follow the rules of the road.
• All KalTour participants over the age of 18 must sign a waiver of liability on the day of the ride.
• Children under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a responsible adult during the ride. This is in addition to the KalTour ride leader if one is present.
• A bicycle with multiple gears and in good working order is recommended for all riders.

Directions to Start of KalTour

KalTour will start and end at the Wind + James Event Center in Schoolcraft, Michigan, located in the southern part of Kalamazoo County.  Wind + James is located at 555 Eliza Street, west of the intersection of Eliza Street (W Avenue) and 14th Street.

Directions from Kalamazoo, Portage, and points north including Grand Rapids:  Take US 131 South to the second traffic light in Schoolcraft (the main intersection) and turn left (east) onto Eliza Street.  Wind + James is .3 mile on the right (just past the tracks).

Directions from east and west of Kalamazoo:  Take I-94 to US 131 South (Exit 74). Continue on US 131 for 8.7 miles.

Volunteer for KalTour

KalTour is KBC’s major fundraising activity and involves a lot of different tasks.  Please help.   You can volunteer, before during or after your ride.   Follow the following link to see what needs to be done and to sign up as a volunteer.  (Non-riding volunteers need not register for KalTour.)

Kalamazoo Bicycle Club: 2025 KalTour Volunteer Schedule (signupgenius.com)

Supporters

The following businesses and organizations help make KalTour possible:

Gordon Water,  Wind + James Event Center, and Kalamazoo Valley AMBUCS.

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