Editor, Gazette-Journal:

As director of the Tour de Chesapeake, I would like to thank the many volunteers and organizations that took part in this 20th annual event, as well as the County of Mathews, Mathews Visitor Center and Mathews Land Conservancy, who have supported and encouraged this event for many years.

This event financially benefits over 40 civic and nonprofit organizations, churches and tourism-related and general businesses in Mathews, bringing in thousands of dollars for these groups.

Even though Mother Nature didn’t cooperate as well as last year, we still had over 250 cyclists on the roads! From the rest stops to the food to the entertainment and activities provided, the cyclists couldn’t have had better! 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!

To Cleo Hayes, Boo Keels and our great Mathews County School System: You are amazing and I thank you for letting me take over Thomas Hunter once again! Congratulations to Cleo Hayes on his retirement. You will be greatly missed next year, Sir!

A special thank you goes out to my executive committee: Lori Dusenberry, Jan Bassett, Boo Schwartz, Jody Hudson and Keith Jones. What an amazing group of talented people! And to my sidekicks, Carolyn and Jimmy Smith, Andrew and Adam Greve, and Nicole Collins, I couldn’t have done it without you!

We couldn’t continue this event without our fantastic sponsors: Riverside Walter Reed Hospital, Bernie La Casse of Burton’s Waterfont, Chesapeake Bank and the Mathews Economic Development Authority. Bless you!

I would be remiss if I didn’t thank the residents of Mathews. I appreciate your patience and kindness to those visitors who came and enjoyed our lovely county for the day.

Lynda Smith Greve

Event Director

Tour de Chesapeake

Mathews, Va.