Houston’s citywide bike ride is back for 2024. The 17th annual Tour de Houston will be held Sunday, April 7, Houston Mayor John Whitmire announced.
With 20, 40, and 60 mile routes, the Tour de Houston serves as an optional training ride for the MS 150, the two-day, Houston-to-Austin cycling fundraiser that will take place April 27 and 28.
Expected to draw more than 5,000 participants, riders will find support from bicycle mechanics along the route as well as teams of police officers and fighters. Those who need a break will find fully stocked rest stops at at the Houston Botanic Gardens, the Lone Star Flight Museum, and Clear Lake Park. The Houston Police Department will be positioned at major intersections along the ride to manage vehicle traffic and keep riders on the move.
Although the final route won’t be announced until next week — a representative tells CultureMap it will be similar to last year — it does have a new start and end point. Instead of beginning at City Hall, riders will start and end at Avenida Plaza at Discovery Green. That means a bigger post-race party for participants and volunteers, courtesy of sponsor Apache Company, an oil and gas exploration and production company. Houston Inspired Catering and Levy Restaurants will provide food for the party.
“Tour de Houston is important to our community, and I am excited we are hosting the event this year in partnership with Houston First.” Whitmire said in a statement. “Tour de Houston is the perfect opportunity to experience the unique attributes of our city — from Downtown to the Bay Area while raising funds for Re-Plant Houston — and I encourage cyclists of all skill levels to join the ride.”
The route takes cyclists towards the Bay Area.Courtesy of Tour de Houston
Registration, priced at $45 in advance for riders 13 and over, $50 day-of, and $25 for children 12 and under, is open now. Proceeds will benefit RE-Forest Houston, the city’s reforestation program.
“Apache is honored to partner with the City of Houston to support this annual tradition,” Apache CEO John J. Christmann IV added. “The Tour de Houston bike ride showcases our city’s historic neighborhoods and benefits the Houston Parks and Recreation Department directly supporting reforestation and the enhancement of green spaces throughout our community. Since 2005, the Apache Corporation Tree Grant Program has provided more than 5 million trees for planting throughout the U.S. with 450,000 going to the greater Houston area.
Details, including parking instructions and packet pickup information, may be found at tourdehouston.org.
