Tour de OC to hit streets in Costa Mesa to help foster children

Almost 200 cyclists are set to ride Saturday in the 2016 Tour de OC bike-a-thon, a fundraiser intended to help send more than 100 Orange County foster children to the Royal Family Kids Camp to experience its mentorship program.

Tour de OC will offer rides of 25, 55 and 100 miles for cyclists of all skill levels, starting and ending at Vanguard University in Costa Mesa. The 100-mile ride begins at 7 a.m., the 55-mile ride at 8 a.m. and the 25-mile event at 8:30 a.m.

To participate, all riders must pay registration fees of $40 to $50 and raise at least $150 in pledges for the 55- and 100-mile rides and $75 for the 25-mile ride.

“Tour de OC is not just a bike ride through beautiful Orange County,” ride director Gary Rigdon said in a statement. “The proceeds provide the local foster care children with a slice of hope and life-changing moments at Royal Family Kids Camp. Some of these kids have had more homes than they have had birthdays.”

The event is being held in May to help raise awareness of National Child Abuse Prevention Month, according to a news release.

Costa Mesa Mayor Steve Mensinger is scheduled to return as ambassador for this year’s event and host the opening ceremony at the starting line at 55 Fair Drive.

Riders can register the day of the event or at tourdeoc.org.