dans bike shop

Tour of Somerville: Top cyclists take over Somerset County this weekend

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Cyclists taking a turn during the storied Tour of Somerville. (John O'Boyle/The Star-Ledger)

By all means, bring your straw hat to the storied Kugler-Anderson Memorial Tour of Somerville on Monday, also known as the Kentucky Derby of cycling. But leave your mint julep at home — this is a family affair.

A party atmosphere pervades downtown Somerville as professional cyclists from all over the world whiz around the 1.5-mile course. "They are moving very quickly in a pack, and it can be exciting when you have a couple break away," says race director Maggie Navatto.

There are also food vendors, music and kids' activities, families picnicking on the courthouse lawn and enthusiasts stationed at street corners.

"The most dangerous part is at the corners," Navatto says, "so people who are ... interested to see what happens go there. I don't know how to say that nicely."

Spectators gather along the route of the Tour of Somerville to watch some of the world's finest cyclists in action. Amanda Brown/Star-Ledger file photo

The Tour of Somerville cycling series runs over three days. Today's events, which kick off at 9:30 a.m., include a 75-mile race that begins on Raritan's West Somerset Street, and moves through 13 towns before ending back in Raritan. There are also four short-course races in downtown Raritan.

On Sunday, cyclists will race in four different short-course races starting on Cherry Avenue in Bound Brook beginning at 1:30 p.m. On Monday, cyclists will compete in six different race challenges in downtown Somerville, including the 50-mile Tour of Somerville, the oldest major bicycle race in America, starting at 10:45 a.m. A Memorial Day parade kicks off festivities at 9 a.m.

Admission is free for spectators. Call (908) 725-7223 for more information, or go to tourofsomerville.org.

Middle Earth, a nonprofit agency that serves Somerset County teens and that organizes the Tour of Somerville, is asking spectators to bring used bicycles and bicycle parts in any condition, and of any size or style to launch "Big Dan's Bike Shop," named for longtime Middle Earth executive director Dan Puntillo, who retired last year.

The program will teach teens to repair bicycles and run a small business. Donations can be dropped off at the Middle Earth office at 520 N. Bridge St., Somerville, or at its tent during the cycling series.