CONCORD – Celebrate community, help those in crisis and embrace the spirit of cycling in the Seventh-Annual Tour de Saints, with beautiful country roads through Cabarrus County.

Registration for the August 28 event is underway, with proceeds from the bike ride benefiting Cooperative Christian Ministry. Event organizers will collect nonperishable food items the day of the ride and registration fees will generate funds to directly support the work of CCM. Registration is only $25 online up through August 1, at which point the cost is $35. Race day registration is $45.

“All Saints’ Episcopal Church has always worked hard to support CCM,” says Ragan Kearns, event organizer. In searching for new ways to bring the community together and support worthy organizations, the Tour de Saints was born. “We’ve talked (as a congregation) about bringing your passion to church. For me, it happens to be the enjoyment I get from riding my bicycle with others in events that support good causes.”

“All Saints’ is one of CCM’s founding churches and has been a committed partner for more than 30 years,” says Ed Hosack, CCM’s executive director. “The Tour de Saints is a creative and exciting idea that will strengthen our partnership for years to come.”

The ride will begin and end at All Saints’ Episcopal Church, 525 Lake Concord Road. The Concord Police Department and Cabarrus County Sheriff’s Office will assist in getting cyclists out of town and touring less traveled country roads. The ride will tour lush farm country and quiet rural roads in Cabarrus and Rowan counties.

Check-in and same-day registration begins at 7 a.m. on August 28. The 100K cyclists will depart at 8 a.m. and 50K cyclists will depart at 8:15 a.m. There is also a shorter family ride for those who enjoy a more leisurely pace shared with friends or family. Lunch is provided for registered cyclists. Registration is $45 per cyclist for same-day registration and includes lunch. T-shirts will be available for those who pre-register. A limited number of shirts will be available on the day of the event on a first-come, first-served basis.

For more information about the bike ride or to register online, visit www.tourdesaints.com. For more information about Cooperative Christian Ministry, visit www.cooperativeministry.com.

ABOUT ALL SAINTS’ EPISCOPAL CHURCH: All Saints’ Episcopal Church is a community that gathers as Disciples Making Disciples for Jesus. Established in Cabarrus County during the Civil War, and recognized as a congregation by the Diocese in 1893, All Saints’ held their first service in the current building in 1972. Along with six other churches in the Cabarrus area, All Saints’ helped establish Cooperative Christian Ministry in September, 1981.