Tour de Trip: biking, drinking, donating
Just a portion of tour participants. (Justin Auciello for Newsworks)
About 140 bicyclists embarked on an over ten mile bike bar tour from Lavallette to South Seaside Park and back Saturday.
Dubbed “Tour de Trip,” the 23rd annual gathering of revelers in New Jersey got its start following a nor’easter as an antidote for cabin fever, according to organizer George “Trip” Winne.
The tour began at Winne’s house in Lavallette, headed south to South Seaside Park for four stops (Atlantic Bar and Grill, Berkeley “Down Under Bar,” Bum Rogers, and a private residence), cruised north to Seaside Heights after sunset for more stops (Beachcomber Bar and Grill, Spicy Cantina, JR’s, Jimbo’s, and Captain Hooks), and ended in Lavallette at The Crab’s Claw Inn.
The cyclists were summoned to the next bar upon hearing Winne’s whistle.
After Superstorm Sandy and the recent Seaside boardwalk fire, the boozing and biking was more than just carefree fun.
Many commented that it was a testament to resiliency.
At Beachcomber Bar and Grill, which reopened Friday after suffering damage during the recent fire, owner Michael Carbone was smiling as tour participants streamed in to his boardwalk establishment.
“We’re happy to be open. We’re happy to be back in business. Unemployment is not an answer for my employees. We’re happy to be working,” he said.
Winne says that in recent years, the event has raised money for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.
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