Under beautiful sunny skies on Saturday, just over 450 cyclists from up and down the East Coast and beyond came to Mathews to participate in the Tour de Chesapeake’s 26th annual bike ride.
“We were happy to share our county for this special anniversary event with so many nice folks,” said event director Lynda Smith Greve. “Its popularity is a testament to the amazing Mathews volunteers who make it happen.”
Cyclists from all over Virginia, as well as states up and down the East Coast and as far away as Washington State started arriving on Friday. Some Mathews Main Street businesses and the Visitor Center stayed open late for shopping, and restaurants were overflowing all weekend with visitors.
Routes opened at 8 a.m. Saturday with the Middle Peninsula Amateur Radio Club providing SAG (support and gear) for the day. 
“I can’t say enough about this amazing group of people,” said Greve. “They have 10-12 support vehicles all over each route all day long, a doctor on site just in case, and a...