Whidbey General Hospital Foundation will hold its seventh annual Tour De Whidbey bicycle ride to raise funds for the hospital.

The tour is Sept. 27. The annual fundraiser has grown in size each year, is expected to have more than 500 riders and will be supported by close to 100 volunteers this year.

New for 2008 is a gentle, family-friendly 10-mile ride that begins and ends at Coupeville Elementary School. The virtually flat route takes riders through scenic Ebey’s Landing National Historic Reserve prairie and has many farm and water vistas. Registration and post-ride chili feed will be held at the Elementary School.

More experienced riders will be on the 40-, 50- or 100-mile routes that begin and end at Greenbank Farm.

The Island County Amateur Radio Club and the Whidbey Island Goldwing Association will once again provide roving route support and radio communication at key locations.

All riders are invited to the early morning pancake breakfast at Greenbank Farm. A post-ride chili feed will be held at the farm as well.

Through registration fees and sponsor support, the Whidbey General Hospital Foundation has committed tour funds toward the Soroptomists International of Oak Harbor’s campaign to purchase a digital mammography machine for the North Whidbey community clinic.

For information and registration, visit www.whidbeygen.org.

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