Take tour of state on 2 wheels

Anybody can hop in a car and go sightseeing, but it takes a special breed to hop on a bike to do it.

For those who fall into the latter category -- the "I prefer my sightseeing with a side of burning quads" group -- there's Cycle South Carolina, a laid-back and relaxing tour of South Carolina on two wheels.

The beauty of the event is that there's no Lance Armstrong-like pressure to beat the spandex pants off the competition, but rather to simply take in all the beautiful scenery the Palmetto State has to offer.

Cycle South Carolina, which is back after a seven-year hiatus, is a six-day charity bike tour that takes place June 13-18 and guides riders on a tour through South Carolina's most beautiful and historic places. The purpose of the event is about having fun, staying healthy and raising awareness for a cause. All proceeds from the ride go to the United Methodist Relief Center, a local nonprofit that works to rebuild and rehabilitate the homes of low-income families in the rural areas of South Carolina.

Register before Sunday and you will get the "early bird" fee: $195 for adults, $175 for seniors and $150 for children. After that, prices go up by $100.

The entry fee includes an overnight camping space each night, well-stocked rest stops, daily cue sheets audited with GPS for accuracy, showers, luggage transportation, vehicle support with radio communication, bicycle technical support, a headband, T-shirt, evening entertainment and limited secondary medical coverage.

Meals (dinner and breakfast) are available for purchase.

For details about Cycle South Carolina, visit www.cyclesouthcarolina.org.