Sandhills Cycling Club will be hosting its annual Tour de Moore bike ride on Monday, Sept. 7.

For 20 years, the Club has been putting on the event to showcase Moore County's bucolic countryside to neighbors from multiple states and communities.

As it has for the past several years, Habitat for Humanity is the title sponsor and chief beneficiary. Volunteers from Habitat will man all the rest stops along the course.

This year, there will be three ride routes and distances. The 28-mile ride features the beautiful horse farms along Youngs Road and takes riders through the quaint town of Vass. From there, they will travel back towards Southern Pines and pass The O'Neal School and Sandhills Community College along Airport Road.

The 50-mile ride adds to the serenity of the 28, by taking riders through the antique district in Cameron and on to Carthage. Riders descend out of Carthage, as they near the 35-mile mark and head back towards Southern Pines. The 50-mile ride re-converges with the 28, as cyclists head back to Southern Pines along Airport Road.

The 100-mile route, or 'century' as its commonly called amongst cyclists, is the highlight of the Tour de Moore. Many cyclists will tell you that its one of the more challenging courses they've ever ridden. The ride is the same route as the 50-miler up to Carthage, but there, turns to the right, heading towards Siler City.

Few Southern Moore county residents know the beauty of the pastoral settings that are set along the Tour de Moore 100 going past Glendon, to High Falls and on to Robbins. The terrain features lots of rolling hills, pastures and farms.

There will be plenty of refreshment along all of the ride routes.

Refreshments will be provided by Aberdeen Produce and Fresh Market. Aberdeen Produce is donating fruit, and there will be freshly baked cookies by the Fresh Market and water by Mountain Clear.

In addition, you can expect to find homemade peanut butter sandwiches made on fresh Panera bread.

There will also be cookies and other endurance cycling staples, like Cliff bars.

After the ride, a pasta lunch from Ragazzi's will be served and the Java Mules will provide the entertainment.

All rides originate at the Campbell House in Southern Pines and ride-day registration is available beginning at 7 a.m. at the cost of $40.

The century ride begins at 0830, the 50-miler at 0900 and the 28-miler at 0915.

There will be activity bags and hats for purchase on-site.

Pre-registration forms are available at Rainbow Cycles. Please contact craig@sandhills cyclingclub.org with questions.