Bicycle riders are set to Tour de Queen

The third annual Tour de Queen begins at 8 a.m. Saturday in downtown De Queen on the courthouse square, in front of the Chamber of Commerce.

For $25, cyclists have their choice of a sag-supported ride of 15, 25, 37 or 47 miles. If you wait to register on-site, the fee will be $30; ride-day registration opens at 7 a.m.

The routes travel through rural pastureland, crossing the De Queen Lake Dam. A news release promises there’s “a challenging hill thrown in every so often.”

Sag wagons will be available. Rest stops will be every five to 10 miles.

The release adds, “This is a tour not a race. No prizes for 1st. Oh, we’ll take your picture!” Riders younger than 16 must be accompanied by an adult; helmets are mandatory.

An entry form can be printed off the website dequeenchamberofcommerce.com. Nancy Gore can answer other questions at (870) 582-2315 or [email protected].

Fighting Red 5K

The first Fighting Red 5K will get the blood pumping at 8 a.m. Saturday on the North Little Rock side of the Big DamBridge.

Besides providing a USA Track & Field certified 5K course upon which the fleet of foot might set a personal record time, and age division race awards, this is a chance to be active while supporting the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences’ Cord Blood Bank.

The medical bank collects and stores umbilical cord blood from public and private donations statewide. The blood is not taken from babies but from umbilical cords after birth, before the cords are incinerated as medical waste.

The event also will give people a free opportunity to have their cheeks swabbed so a record of their DNA can be added to the Be the Match national bone marrow registry of DeleteBloodCancer DKMS. And there will be a balloon release to honor blood cancer survivors and loved ones who have died of cancer.

The course runs back and forth over the Big Dam Bridge; racers will be chip-timed by Set the Pace LLC of Maumelle.

Online registration, which costs $30 through Thursday, is at fightingred5K.com. Race-day registration will cost $35.

Gearhead Outfitters in Park Plaza will host packet pickup from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday.

Alzheimer’s walk

Alzheimer’s Arkansas Programs and Services will hold its annual Little Rock fundraising walk at 8:30 a.m. Saturday in the Little Rock Zoo.

Participation in the walk is free, but those who donate at least $25 will get a souvenir T-shirt while supplies last.

Along with a chance to walk with honorary chairman Dr. David Lipschitz, walkers can meet young mimes from Parkview High School. John Lee will play the banjo and mandolin. Walkers can also have their faces painted by members of the North Little Rock Mayor’s Youth Council.

Registration opens at 7 a.m. and everyone must be inside the zoo by 8:15.

More information is at alzark. org and (501) 224-0021.

Women can camp

Women’s Outdoor Weekend, a small annual camp-out in certain Arkansas state parks, this fall will take place in two: Lake Catherine State Park in Hot Springs, and Bull Shoals-White River State Park at Bull Shoals.

“WOW is a fun weekend to try new stuff,” says Justine Baker, an expert on backpacking who also provides instruction on setting up a campsite for these events. Beginners are welcome,she adds - in fact, each weekend is tailored to women who have not been inclined to be outdoorsy.

Bull Shoals’ camp-out is Friday through Saturday, and registration is due today. For $125, participants will have all gear and meals provided for a threeday, two-night adventure with a casual schedule that leaves plenty of time to relax with new friends.

Sessions will include handson introductions to basic camping, backpacking, bird-watching, kayaking, fly-fishing, Dutch oven cooking and more, beginning with the Dutch ovens, which will be used to make Friday’s dinner.

To register, call park interpreter Julie Lovett as soon as possible at (870) 445-3629 or email julie.[email protected].

Lake Catherine’s weekend is Oct. 11-13. Sessions will include introductions to basic camping, backpacking skills, nature journaling, bird-watching, kayaking, Dutch oven cooking and hiking to observe native medicinal and edible plants.

Don’t know how to pack? Not to fear: Registered participants will be sent a letter with a list of appropriate clothing and recommended items to take with you.

The $85 fee includes all gear and meals. Registration is due Oct. 7. To register call (501) 844-4176.

ActiveStyle, Pages 28 on 09/30/2013

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