Editor, Gazette-Journal:

As director of the Tour de Chesapeake, I would like to thank the many volunteers and organizations who took part in this 19th annual event as well as the Mathews Visitor Center and Mathews Land Conservancy which have supported and encouraged this event for many years. This event financially benefits over 40 local civic and nonprofit organizations, churches and tourism-related and general businesses in Mathews bringing in thousands of dollars for these groups.

This year, Mother Nature was good to us and we had a banner year with over 450 bicyclists! From the rest stops to the food to the entertainment to the activities provided, the cyclists couldn’t have had better! From the safety teams to the signage teams to the monitors, the cyclists couldn‘t have been safer! From Tent City to the home hosts to the B&Bs to the Cottage Program, the cyclists couldn’t have been more comfortable and welcome!

Cleo Hayes, Boo Keels, and our great Mathews ...