Tour De Mount Vernon 2020 Dedicated To Late Dave Evans

MOUNT VERNON, VA — On Oct. 3, Mount Vernon District Supervisor Dan Storck held his fifth annual Tour de Mount Vernon, a bike ride highlighting the key sites in the district. It was held in honor of his late friend Dave Evans, who was described as a "community champion, business leader and inspiration for Tour de Mount Vernon."

"I believe strongly in connecting people to places, history, culture and nature. The recent loss of my best forever friend, Dave Evans, made the ride more special this year," said Storck in a statement. "It was Dave who inspired me to create this community ride. I hope everyone will take a moment to reflect and appreciate our dear connections in life, the natural world around us and join us for the ride next year!"

Evans, who died in August, was president and co-founder of La Prima Food Group. He had also been with the Route 1 corridor nonprofit United Community for over 19 years and was on its board since 2017.

"Dave worked tirelessly on the increased need for food banks and other services due to the COVID-19 pandemic," states his obituary. "The pandemic also focused his efforts in assisting over 130 of his employees who were now out of work. These were the efforts that occupied all of his time these past several months."

Around 230 riders participated in this year's Tour de Mount Vernon, which had a socially-distanced rolling start at the Workhouse Arts Center. The 40-mile and 24-mile routes in the southern part of the Mount Vernon District took riders to Mason Neck State Park, George Mason’s Gunston Hall, Pohick Regional Park, Accotink Bay on post at Fort Belvoir and the new National Museum of the United States Army. The museum has a delayed opening due to the pandemic. It ended back at the workhouse with Dave’s Famous Sweet Potato Chili. The event followed COVID-19 guidelines with a registration cap, face masks, and social distancing.

Tour de Mount Vernon was held in partnership with the county's Office of Economic Initiatives, FABB-Fairfax Alliance for Better Bicycling, Workhouse Arts Center, La Prima Catering, Volunteer Fairfax and Fairfax County Police.