Ride like a hillbilly in the 2015 Tour de Belleville

Put on your best overalls, round up Ellie Mae and Jethro and mosey on down to the 10th annual Tour de Belleville bicycle ride on Friday.

This year’s theme is “The Belle villey Hillbillies,” with a wink and a nod to one of Belleville’s favorite sons, the late Buddy Ebsen, who grew up on Lebanon Avenue and played the patriarch on “The Beverly Hillbillies” television show (1962-71).

There will be a best-dressed contest before the ride, with judging at 8 p.m. Winners will receive gift certificates.

The ride, on 5- or 15-mile courses begins at 8:30 p.m. at Union United Methodist Church, 721 E. Main St., which is also the finish line. Riders will be released in waves for safety.

Thursday is the last day to register for for just $16. You can register between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday at the Belleville Parks & Recreation Department, 510 West Main St. in Belleville and online at tourdebelleville.com. On Friday, the fee will increase to $25. Each rider gets a green Belle villey Hillbillies T-shirt and a water bottle.

“Last year, 2,023 riders participated,” said Debbie Belleville, director of Parks & Recreation, said on Monday. “We already have more than a thousand signed up, and we expect to get at least another thousand.”

Since its inception, the Tour de Belleville has raised more than $140,000 to purchase two speed monitors, five emergency call towers, street crossing lights at two intersections, a patrol bicycle for the Belleville Police Department, a trail rest oasis, solar lights, drinking fountains, a police all-terrain vehicle and other bike trail amenities.

The bicycle ride is open to all ages, but training wheels and pets are prohibited. Helmets are required, and no alcohol is allowed.

▪  The 5-mile course weaves through downtown, going by Douglas School, Jefferson School and the Nichols Center.

▪ The 15-mile course tacks on an additional tour through West Belleville, including a long stretch out on West Main Street before turning back and winding through several neighborhoods, including parts of Swansea.

The pre-ride festivities begin at 6:15 p.m. Friday with live music from the Straight Six Band in the rear parking lot at Union United Methodist Church. After the race, ice cream will be provided by Prairie Farms and coffees and milks will be provided by Madrina’s.

This story was originally published July 8, 2015 at 5:02 AM with the headline "Ride like a hillbilly in the 2015 Tour de Belleville."