James City County is about to get a bit more colorful this weekend.
For the third year in a row, residents and cycling enthusiasts will have the opportunity to participate in the county’s Capital Color Ride from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, according to a news release from the county.
“This event is different than a bike ride. Most of our county-sponsored biking events are drawing the biking enthusiasts and those who participate in a biking club or group along with those who bike regularly,” said Sarah O’Reilly, recreation program coordinator for the county. “Capital Color Ride is attracting the families as a whole to come out for a fun and unique experience.”
The family-friendly ride takes cyclists along a 15-mile stretch of the Virginia Capital Trail.
There are multiple riding options:
- Purple: The family fun marker (1-mile ride)
- Green: 2-mile marker (4-mile ride)
- Blue: 4-mile marker (8-mile ride)
- Red: 7-mile marker (14-mile ride)
- Gold: Return to Chickahominy Riverfront Park for the gold finisher color
During the ride, cyclists will make “color pit stops” where they can be covered in various colors.
At each pit stop, the cyclists will dismount their bikes and then volunteers will spray them with a different color for a total of six colors along the 15-mile route.
The color dyes are made from food grade corn starch that is safe on the skin and does not require protective eye wear, O’Reilly said. During the ride, cyclists will wear white t-shirts to show off their colors.
O’Reilly said each year the number of participants varies depending on weather, but generally there is about 50 to 100 cyclists on the ride.
While the news release previously stated that the James City County Police Department would be doing safety checks, O’Reilly said this is no longer part of the plan.
In terms of safety during the ride, there will not be a medical team on staff. However, there are first aid stations set along the route and the police department would be called in the case of an emergency.
Participants must pay a registration fee of $10 which includes refreshments, maps, lunch and a t-shirt while supplies last. Children ages 9 and younger can ride for free.
For more information, visit James City County online.
