David Sutton Memorial Cross State Tour

Mark your calendars for April 30 – May 4 for the 2008 David Sutton Memorial Cross State Tour. This year will be even better than last year. It finishes in Savannah where we stay in the heart of the historic district with plenty of places to eat and drink nearby. The hotel even has a roof top pool! Cost is $135.00. Greenville Spinners Club members enjoy a $15.00 discount.

Just how good was it last year? Read the article below.

To learn about this year's 2008 tour, download the registration form.

2007 David Sutton Memorial Cross State Tour

Written by Jay Mappus

“IT’S ONE OF THE BEST AND MOST FUN THINGS I have ever done.” says first-time Tour rider Rip Major of this year’s David Sutton Memorial Cross State Tour ride. Seventy some-odd riders ranging in age from those in their 20’s to those in their 70’s made the four day tour. Riders’ abilities ranged from beginner to elite.

Kendra Garrett remembers a specific moment of the tour “When we were almost into Georgetown, there were six of us and there was a moment when I figured out why people do it. I heard the wind and the whirl of my tires, and the whole enjoyment of cycling struck me then. I thought ‘Okay this must be cycling Zen’”.

Kendra, like many, was hesitant about riding with anyone she never met before or even a large group. She had never ridden more than 60 miles and wanted to see if she could do it. “Before the Tour I was scared of anyone that called themselves a Spinner, but everything about the Tour wiped that out. I never expected everyone to be as welcoming as they were.” Even the Tour’s director Rae Harrison says it is not a race, but a bunch of people getting together and having fun.

Rusty Infinger, riding the Tour for his initial time, had the same experience “I enjoyed the commaradie you had with other people. People with similar interests you can talk to.” Many of the people he met on the Tour he sees on group rides around Greenville today.

The tour started off just south of Greenville with a 69 mile ride to Newberry on rolling hills. From there it wondered through cattle and horse farms for 62 miles to Aiken. The 94 miles from Aiken to Santee were flat with scattered farms, live oak forests and an occasional swamp along the road. The final 92 miles passed under moss filled trees and finished in Georgetown.

And just how much training is needed for such a cross state ride? “Just make sure you start a couple months in advance building up, getting miles. Not so much that there are any big climbs. It’s being able to hold a riding position for a long time. If you could ride to the bakery and back from Furman, you could handle any day.” says Rip. Rae replied that she wants at least 700 miles on her legs since the start of the season to be comfortable for the four days of cycling. Kendra found that riding twice a week and participating in a weekly spin class for two to three months was adequate for the ride.

Next year’s ride is to Savannah staying in the heart of the historic district with plenty of places to eat and drink nearby. The hotel even has a roof top pool! Mark your calendars for joining the tour April 30 - May 4 and send an email to touring@greenvillespinners.com now to save your spot. Do not worry about the weather; it has not rained at least since 1998. Rip, Kendra and Rusty all plan on riding next year. In fact 3 out of 4 riders this year rode the David Sutton Memorial Tour before. With so many riders returning from past rides, you do not want to miss out. Hotel costs can double if rooms are sold out.

THANKS TO THE DAVID SUTTON VOLUNTEERS:

  • Committee Members
    • Rae Harrison - Director
    • Steve Sperry
    • Chip Radford
    • Susan Jones
    • Kimberly Morgan
  • SAG Support
    • Cathy Campbell
    • Danielle White
    • Angie Wilson

2007 DAVID SUTTON MEMORIAL TOUR RIDER AWARDS WINNERS

CATEGORIES: MALE FEMALE

  • Fashion Statement on a Bike Rip Major Ronna Resnick
  • Best Farmers Tan Steve Sperry Rae Harrison
  • Best Shaved Legs Billy White Carol Burger
  • Sexiest Helmet Hair Mark Welch Sally Nicholson
  • Hottest Machine Jim Ashburn Hope Ashburn
  • Best BEHIND to be Behind Ian Carines Lisa Reaves
  • Best Attitude Randy McReight Beth Rusch
  • Best Sprinter Steve Sperry Carol Burger
  • Best Pull Charles Riddelhuber Lisa Reaves
  • Good Samaritan Rob Resnick Sags
  • Geographically Impaired Harry Steele Sally Nicholson
  • Rookie of the Tour Rip Major Kendra Garrett

WRITE IN AWARDS: INDIVIDUAL

  • Smallest Bladder Award (Mr. Pee Pee) Chip Radford
  • “Old Fart” Award Nick Dobey
  • Best of the Best Award Rae Harrison