PORTSMOUTH- In recent years, bicycling has been growing in popularity, both on hillsides and on the streets. Groups like Portsmouth Connex have been striving to make the sport more social and mainstream in Portsmouth again, with an entire season of events to draw people out and about.

They are emphasizing this, once again, as partners of the Tour of the Scioto River Valley (TOSRV) bicycling event, which will take place this coming weekend for the 63rd year with even more registered riders than last year.

The bike ride has six route options, three starting points, and remains the longest-running century ride of the nation.

“Riders can start in Columbus and ride to Portsmouth, and then stay at Portsmouth High School overnight and head back,” Connex’s Wendi Waugh said. “However, there are many options.”

Connex will lead a group starting in Portsmouth, going to Chillicothe and back. They also encouraged riders who don’t believe they are ready for that long of a distance to potentially join Connex in Chillicothe or even Waverly and ride down. That gives people 55-mile or 30-mile options.

Waugh said the point of the event is to meet riders where they are and engage them, however they may feel comfortable.

“There are all kinds of rides options,” Waugh said. “We advertise the six options and three starting points, but, honestly, you can start wherever you’re comfortable and go from there—whatever it takes to get that rider to cross the finish line and feel comfortable. If this is your first event, at least you accomplished something by starting somewhere.”

Waugh will accomplish 104 miles herself, leaving from Portsmouth and making it to Chillicothe and back. It had her reflecting on the changes made over recent years.

TOSRV is organizing the Third Annual Party in the Park at Three Bridges Park, just at the west end of Second Street. There will be a DJ and other attractions for the community and riders to enjoy once they arrive in Portsmouth.

“There’s going to be a party at Three Bridges Park to welcome the riders. A DJ will be spinning tunes, the Brew Pub is going to be there with DORA bracelets and beer for purchase,” Waugh said. “TOSRV is going to have complimentary slices of pizza from the Brew Pub for riders as well. We are hoping the public turn out with a chair to enjoy the music and float back and forth between the Party in the Park and the St Mary International Festival that is going on at the same time.”

Despite the longevity of the ride, this year’s event is being called The Last Revolution and has come with vague promises of change to the event in the future.

“I think TOSRV as we know it may not exist in the future, but I think there will be some version of it occur,” Waugh said. “Regardless, this will be the last one where riders will be able to come all the way from Columbus to Portsmouth, spend the night, and go back the next morning.”

Despite this, Waugh said that she has heard there are more riders registered this year than there have been in recent years.

“I’m very sad about it, to be honest,” Waugh said. “63 years. There has been a lot of history and cool things that have occurred to our city and people over those years. I’m excited to participate, but sad.”

Waugh said Connex will welcome any rider at 6:45 a.m. at Three Bridges Park to Chillicothe to Portsmouth again that morning.

“TOSRV has meant a lot to our community over the years, in terms of visitors and tourism. It has been a staple on the murals that represent our city; it is part of this community. There aren’t many people who haven’t seen the ridders, welcomed them to the community, and recognized them as part of an important tradition.”

Despite the news of the longest-running bike event in the United States undergoing massive changes, Waugh isn’t letting it be a complete negative.

“Of course it is sad, but with endings come new beginnings and I’m looking forward to the future of cycling,” Waugh said.