We were so surprised and delighted at the turnout for our first ever Tour de Fleur last May 1, 2016, we are bringing the event back, with more flower power than ever!

For the second year, Billings TrailNet is encouraging women to salute spring and embrace bicycling with revelry and camaraderie at our Tour de Fleur ride and bicycle decorating event. All women and children are invited to join the ride and loved ones and supporters of the riders are encouraged to join in the festivities by showering participants with petals, which will be available at the event. The ride begins on Sunday, April 30, 2017, at 1 p.m., in front of Neecee’s and Meridian at Shiloh Crossing.

Tour de Fleur participants are invited to come to the ride with flowers on their bicycles, or they can use some of the flowers available at the event. Bike decorating begins at noon, just one hour prior to the ride.

A giant petal drop sponsored by Party America will start the ride with flair!

Riders will cruise through Shiloh Crossing and tour the Shiloh Conservation Area in a 1.5 or three-mile loop.  Upon their return, and Simply Wine will provide mimosas and refreshments to the participants. The celebration will include live music by Song Dog Serenade, games provided by the Shops at Shiloh, and food available for purchase.

REGISTER FOR THE TOUR DE FLEUR HERE!

Shops at Shiloh Crossing will also get in on the fun by decorating and displaying bikes during the week preceding the ride.

The Tour de Fleur is co-sponsored by Shops at Shiloh including Bumps ‘n Bundles, Scout & Mollys, Bottega, Neecee’s, Riddles Jewelry, Meridian, Party America, Simply Wine, and the new Orange Theory Fitness, and is supported by Pita Mill and Tea City and Cupcake.  Billings Clinic, Billings OB-GYN, US Bank, Eastern Radiological Associates, Corning Companies, Anytime Fitness and Aquafina are also sponsoring the event. Proceeds from the ride will contribute to the continued community-wide efforts of Billings TrailNet to connect Billings’ bikeways and trails.

Billings TrailNet is proud to partner with its sponsors to celebrate healthy, active lifestyles for women and continues to advocate for a safe community for cycling, which includes connected trails.

This annual spring event is part of Billings TrailNet’s community efforts and is designed to empower mothers, sisters, daughters and friends to enjoy biking in Billings.

Becky Salyer, the owner of Bumps ‘n Bundles at Shiloh Crossing, is the chairwoman of the Tour de Fleur Planning Committee and participated in the 2016 event. She emphasizes the value the Tour de Fleur brings to women, “I’m passionate about empowering women, and The Tour de Fleur is something amazing which surpassed my expectations last year. It made me feel so rewarded and a part of something,” she says. Noting that this event is special in its support of women in the Billings community, she adds, “I want other women to feel they can do anything. Don’t let other people’s opinions get in the way and don’t let (negative opinions of) themselves get in the way!”

According to the National Household Travel Survey conducted by the Federal Highway Administration, in 2009 just 24% of all U.S. bike trips are made by women. Yet, in a national poll conducted by Princeton Survey Research Associates in 2012, 82% of American women have a positive view of bicyclists, and two-thirds of American women agreed safer and more comfortable biking would make their communities better places to live. (Research from the League of American Bicyclists: https://www.bikeleague.org/sites/default/files/WomenBikeReport(web).pdf)

The Tour de Fleur provides a community gathering to encourage and support female riders as well as establishing a much-needed network for women to meet, ride and pedal side-by-side.

Tour de Fleur jerseys featuring our unique Billings landscape are available for pre-purchase online here.

For more information about the Tour de Fleur please contact Billings TrailNet’s Executive Director, Kristi Drake at kristi@billingstrailnet.org, or call 406-281-1244.