This year we are the first leg of the European Tour of Texas Challenge that includes The Bosque Tour de Norway, The Tour de Italia, and The Tour de Paris. To participate in this challenge you will have to pre-register with the challenge and then check in with the challenge registration tables set up at each ride in the challenge. At the conclusion of the challenge all participants that have completed the challenge will receive a custom jersey as reward. Online registration for the challenge is open, but can be made as late as on site at the Tour de Norway.
The fifth Bosque Tour de Norway will be held on May 21, 2016. The start/finish line will be at Clifton High School. We will have 4 routes to choose from 20, 40, 60 and 80 miles. Each will allow you to enjoy the beauty of the top of Texas hill country and be riding through the historical Norse community.
The Norwegian settlement began here in 1854, the same year the county was founded, and was led by Ole Canuteson and included Cleng Peerson, “The Father of Norwegian Immigration to America.” Thousands of Norwegian immigrants, some coming directly from Norway and others from northern states, would eventually settle between Clifton and Cranfills Gap by century’s end. The Norwegian influence in the area is still very evident today, including Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, site of our first rest stop, and St. Olaf Kirke, or as it is better-known, The Old Rock Church.
START TIME:
Start time
for all routes is 8 a.m. at the Clifton High School and Ave. Q.
REGISTRATION:
Registration opens at 6:30 a.m. at the Clifton High
School Gym. Pre-Registration is available at
www.BikeReg.com.
FEE:
All routes are $25 per person if preregistered or $30 for day of registrations. Cash
or checks made out to Clifton Chamber of Commerce.
PARKING:
There is plenty of parking available at Clifton High
School.
WHAT TO EXPECT:
You will be riding on a combination
of state highways and county roads. All are paved but there are some
rough areas on the county roads due to chip seal pavement and some
potholes. Most roads are comfortable to ride on. Since this is the
top of the hill country there are rolling hills with a few good leg
burner climbs, followed by fast descents.
REST STOPS:
There
will be rest stops approximately every 10 miles. All rest stops will
have shade, seating, food, drinks and Port-a-Potties. There will be
plenty of friendly locals to help you out if you have any questions
about the area.
Click image to download a PDF of the map.
