Dozens of Cyclists Take On 30-Mile Tour de Woodbridge

Dozens of cycling enthusiasts gathered in the pre-dawn hours in the parking lot of the Club at Woodbridge Sunday morning, eager to kick off the fourth annual Tour de Woodbridge – a 30-plus mile bike tour that takes riders throughout the township.

“We want to get people from Woodbridge and the surrounding communities to get out and be active,” said Jeff Marmelstein, director of the Tour de Woodbridge, as bikers trickled in to the Club to gather their racing bibs and complementary tour shirts.  “We’re letting people see that you can bike around Woodbridge.”

Marmelstein, an avid cyclist himself, organized and participated in the 30 mile trek that passed through Woodbridge proper, Avenel, Colonia, Fords, and Sewaren. 

Approximately 50 cyclists pre-registered for the event, though Marmelstein expected the number would top out closer to 100.  “A lot of it depends on the weather,” he explained.  “Two years ago it was a heavy downpour, but last year was perfect weather.”  Despite the humidity, Sunday’s tour kicked off shortly after 7 am to mostly sunny conditions.

Wegman’s provided water at three rest stops at township parks, as well as breakfast for the cyclists at the Club following the race.

“Two years ago it was pouring rain the entire time,” noted John Murray, who participated in his second Tour de Woodbridge Sunday morning.  “Anything that happens this year will be better than that.” 

“As long as I can do it, I’ll do it every year,” said Mike Rivera, who’s participated in the tour for each of the four years.  “We get to see the beautiful town of Woodbridge, and we get a pretty good breakfast at the end.”

“That’s the main reason we do it every year,” joked Murray.

In addition to the 30 mile trek, which was ultimately shortened slightly due to a downed pole on New Dover Road, the Tour de Woodbridge introduced a shorter course, which ran approximately 16 miles.  Riders who chose the shorter course rode with the rest of the cyclists to the tour’s second rest stop at Alvin P. Williams Park in Sewar en before returning to the Club.

“We just want to get people moving, that’s how you get that healthy lifestyle,” noted Marmelstein.