On Saturday, April 8 cycling enthusiasts will once again converge on the scenic town of Easton for the Talbot Special Riders Fifth Annual Spring Classic Bike Tour. Last year’s Spring Classic was a huge success. More than 325 cyclists were registered and, despite the bad weather, 117 cyclists showed up to ride in the snow and rain! Committee members are fervently hoping for better weather this year.

Four hundred cyclists are expected this April. Most arrive from the surrounding area as well as from New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and as far as North Carolina and even South Dakota. The Bike Committee is hard at work, fine tuning the fully supported 50-mile half-century recreational bicycle ride along some of the most scenic routes on Talbot County’s Eastern Shore. A 62-mile metric-century and a 25-mile ride are also offered. The TSR Spring Classic starts and ends at Easton Middle School, on Peach Blossom Road in Easton. The ride is held rain or shine. Packet Pick Up is at 7 a.m. There are three rest stops and a light lunch is served at the end of the ride at the Middle School.

Beside the beautiful routes through Talbot County, the ride is known for three main things: friendly and helpful volunteers, home baked cookies and the cream of crab soup served at lunch. The cookies have been a highlight every year, as evidenced by one of the many comments we received afterward: “What a great ride! Thanks to all of the volunteers and fellow riders and to everyone who made cookies! I wanted to go back to each rest stop for more! THANK YOU!”

All proceeds from the ride will benefit Talbot Special Rider’s therapeutic horseback riding program, held at Timber Grove Farm in Preston. Last summer’s move to the farm fulfilled TSR’s long-term goal to expand and upgrade the program. For the first time, winter classes and a holiday camp were offered.

The upcoming spring session will expand from just two days a week to four or five days, including Saturdays. TSR also recently resumed its separate program of therapeutic riding for children recovering from human trafficking. TSR brings new meaning to the old adage: “There is nothing better for the inside of a person than the outside of a horse.” Now in its 36th year, Talbot Special Riders equine therapy program continues to enhance the lives of children and adults with special needs, the only program of its kind in the area.

TSR is a registered non-profit organization with deep roots in the community. Financial support comes from the United Fund of Talbot County, area businesses, members of the community and the annual Spring Classic Bike Tour. For more information about the TSR Spring Classic Bike Tour, contact TSRRide@gmail.com. Registration is open on Active.com.