Tour de Forts Classic

Cyclists begin the ride entering Fort Clinch State Park under a canopy of oaks dripping in Spanish moss.

This massive brickwork fort served as a military post during three U.S. engagements. Those on the Family and Friends Fun Ride will get an inside view of the fort, where volunteers dress in period uniforms and give tours of the many unique, furnished rooms before ascending the winding stairs to rooftop cannons with views of Cumberland Sound.

After exiting Fort Clinch, the route continues along the northern half of Amelia Island through the historic town of Fernandina past pre-US Civil War mansions. Horse-drawn carriages offer tours along the cobblestone streets, and boats speckle the harbor waterfront.

Riding out of the city, you travel the legendary A1A section of the East Coast Greenway with breathtaking views of the blue Atlantic Ocean, gorgeous dunes scattered with sea oats, US Navy ships, and the Mayport Village shrimp trawlers, to name a few.

77 and 100-mile riders will continue along the St. Johns River past the Mayport Ferry, over the Napoleon Bonaparte Broward Bridge, the longest cable-stayed bridge in the U.S., where the El Faro Memorial is located and used for a rest stop and turn-around point.

Along the way, we have six rest stops stocked with snacks and drinks and staffed by our wonderful volunteers. Local bike shop vans are also at each rest stop to provide any bike repairs, and SAG vehicles travel the route to offer assistance.

This is the perfect ride to kick off the bike riding season. Come ride with us!

Sorry, but there is no rain date and we cannot offer refunds. The event takes place, rain or shine. You may purchase cancellation insurance during the registration process.

If for some reason you cannot attend the ride after registering, you can have someone pick up your T-shirt or socks for you at the ride or you can pick it up at the next scheduled NFBC club meeting. Otherwise, it becomes the property of the club.

This is a Rain or Shine event. No refunds or transfers.

The safety of our participants and volunteers is our most important concern and if any of the threatening weather conditions are present the day of the event (tornado warning, tornado watch, thunderstorm, heavy rain or a hurricane decides to visit), the event may be delayed or canceled.

When weather conditions or other physical conditions present a danger to participants, such conditions fall under the label “acts of mother nature,” it will not result in refunding of any event entry fees or future event credits, since funds were already spent in preparation for your event day.

SAFETY IS THE TOP PRIORITY AT NORTH FLORIDA BICYCLE CLUB EVENTS

Your behavior on the ride will affect not only your personal safety but also the safety of those around you. The success of this event depends on every one of us behaving responsibly and taking care of ourselves and one another.

Please download and review the following safety information before the ride:

3-minute audio safety briefing

Safety Not Speed-presentation with pictures that highlight various cautions and hazards along the routes. Be informed before riding!

This is a ride and not a race.

• Tour de Forts Classic is an open course on public roads. Be cautious at all road crossings and obey all traffic signs and signals and police officers. Ride defensively. Don't assume motorists or other cyclists will do the right thing.
• Be courteous to other riders and motorists.
• All riders must wear helmets.
• Ride predictably.
• Obey all traffic laws including all traffic signals and signs. Bicycles on public roadways in Florida are considered vehicles and must follow all the traffic rules common to all drivers.
• Call out and use Florida-approved hand signals when turning left or right, slowing or stopping
• Do not ride more than two abreast. Ride single file if by riding two abreast, you would impede traffic.
• Call out hazard & dangers to other cyclists.
• Do not overlap wheels. Ride no closer than a bicycle wheel-length to the rider in front of you. Think feet, not inches between bikes.
• Be cautious about joining a paceline with riders you are unfamiliar with.
• Pass other cyclists on the left, calling out “On your left” before you overtake another cyclist.
• Do not wear headphone while bicycling or text or answer cell phones.
• Do not use aerobars while riding in a paceline.
• Follow directions from all ride support personnel including police, SAG drivers and ride marshals.
• Eat before you’re hungry and drink before you’re thirsty, especially on the longer routes. Avail yourself of our well-stocked rest stops.

In case of injury or other situations:

• Call 911 immediately in case of significant injury.
• If it is safe, move a downed rider off the road or out of the bike lane. If not, direct traffic around them.
• Call (904) 515-3275 for SAG support and less urgent situations.
• Get off the road or out of the bike lane to attend to mechanical issues such as a flat tire.

Weather advisory

• The ride will proceed rain or shine.
• We are hopeful for a beautiful day but weather can change quickly in Florida.
• In case of thunderstorms take cover until the storm passes. If no cover is readily available, get off your bike and crouch as low as possible. Avoid sheltering under tall trees.
• Get off the road during heavy rain as bicycles are not clearly visible to traffic under these conditions.

A portion of your registration fee will go to support our Pedaling for Safety Campaign. There is no additional fundraising required for this event.

Pedaling for Safety's mission is to promote safety for people who bicycle along Florida's First Coast. Our vision is zero fatalities or serious injuries from bicycling in our region.

Please consider making an additional contribution to support our efforts as you complete the registration process.