The weekend’s 15th annual Tour de Chesapeake in Mathews brought nearly 350 cyclists to the county, proving to be a success even with rain clouds looming most of the day Saturday.

"It was wonderful in spite of Mother Nature’s best efforts," said event director Lynda Smith Greve.

She said Saturday’s overcast weather cooled the temperatures enough to make it more comfortable for the cyclists. "People loved that," she said. "It was great riding weather."

The rain, she said, didn’t hold off for Saturday night’s party at Williams Wharf. However, 150 people still attended. "That was a surprise and it was great," Greve said.

The second annual Made in Mathews "Art deTour" saw a large turnout, though Friday’s "Paddle ’da Bay" adventure day only had a few participants. "I think that will take off and be bigger and better next year as the word spreads," Greve said.

The new water taxi this year, taking cyclists across the East River from William...