, 
, 
, 
Amid an already busy Hot Dog Night and Cardinal Pride weekend, dozens of athletes joined the annual Tour de Donut bicycle ride, which attracted more than 90 riders Saturday morning to The Lake in Luverne.
“I was very impressed by the turnout,” said event organizer David Duffy, Luverne.
“It was a busy weekend for events in the area, but we had over 30 more riders than last year.”
The Tour de Donut Minnesota is a unique bicycle event where ability to eat donuts is just as important as ability to ride bicycle.
The 30- to 35-mile route around Rock County includes three checkpoint stations (donut stops) where eating donuts isn’t mandatory, but it’s worth a time bonus for each donut consumed and recorded.
Awards are presented for Best Elapsed Time, Adjusted Time and Most Donuts Eaten.
The Tour De Donut Minnesota also offers a short course (10 Miles), a long course (50+ miles) and a 17-mile Fun Ride.
Duffy said this year’s event, the fifth one he’s organized in Luverne, was less competitive than other years.
“People came from all over the area to have a fun experience with their families or close riding friends,” he said.
“I have a guy from Worthington that rides with his son-in-law from the Twin Cities each year. A friend of mine from Sioux Falls rode with his 9-year-old daughter. Another group of ladies all in their 60s were getting one last group ride in before RAGBRAI, and we get the crazy wild girls from Sioux Falls that we call the ‘South Dakota Six Pack.’”
He said Sarah DeBeer at Sunshine Foods makes donuts and apple fritters the night before, and they have become regional favorites.
“They’re the best apple fritters in the area, according to all of the riders,” Duffy said.
Here’s how the donut bonuses work: On a 33-mile tour, the first Donut Stop at the 8- to 10-mile mark offers a six-minute time bonus for each donut consumed.
The second Donut Stop at 16 to 18 miles offers a “Sarah Special” bonus of six minutes for consuming half a pastry or 15 minutes for a whole one.
The third Donut Stop at 22 to 24 miles offers a six-minute time bonus for each donut eaten.
All distances are measured from the bus garage on Dodge Street at the edge of town.
The 10-mile tour takes riders west to County Road 6 and south to Beaver Creek where they’re shuttled back to Luverne. “Next year we will keep this group in Luverne on the bike path,” Duffy said.
The 18- to 19-mile tour follows the same route to Beaver Creek and then takes riders back to Luverne on County Road 4.
The 33- to 35-mile tour also goes to Beaver Creek, but then continues south to Hills, west to Steen and then back to Luverne.
The 50-mile tour continues from Beaver Creek to the Manley corner, to Lester, then Steen and back to Luverne.
“We’re very grateful for Steen, Hills and Beaver Creek for letting us use their parks and bathrooms,” Duffy said.
“Probably what impresses me the most is all of the volunteers that dress up, decorate their donut stops, play games, pass out donuts, help with traffic, lead riders out of town, host the after-ride party and interact with as many riders as they can,” Duffy said.
“These folks put on a great show and really roll out the red carpet.”
Due to unforeseen circumstances Friday, he said his group of 20 volunteers was down to 14, but the event continued seamlessly.
“Everyone stepped up and took on a little more responsibility and we crushed it,” Duffy said.
“I’m really looking forward to next year when we make a few changes that will allow us to handle many more riders.”
Prizes are awarded for best overall time, adjusted donut time and most donuts eaten, with special awards for the “Dozen Club.”
The post-race party Take 16 in Luverne included two bands, Twilight Hours and the Suburbs, which were also entertaining Cardinal Pride All-School Reunion attendees.