The roads of Mathews County hosted 539 cyclists last weekend for the 21st iteration of the Tour de Chesapeake. Following three years of rainy rides, weather conditions finally cooperated, as cyclists enjoyed sunshine and seasonal temperatures both Saturday and Sunday.

“This ride has become one of the premier cycling events in our state,” said event coordinator Lynda Smith Greve, “and we are happy to share our county for the day with so many nice folks.” The Tour de Chesapeake is presented by Riverside Walter Reed Hospital, Bernadette LaCasse of Burtons Waterfront Real Estate, Chesapeake Bank, and the Mathews Economic Development Authority.

Cyclists began arriving on Friday, with Mathews Main Street businesses and the Bay School of the Arts offering a Bike Bargain discount night until 8 p.m. to all cyclists. The restaurants were overflowing all weekend with visitors, Greve reported, with even Central United Methodist Church’s annual shrimp dinner seeing...