Montco law enforcement to bike Tour de Shore
PHILADELPHIA » Ask any member of law enforcement and they’ll tell you that the job takes a lot of blood, sweat and tears.
At the end of the month, Montgomery County law enforcement will certainly be doing a lot of sweating.
The annual Tour de Shore is scheduled to take place for its 30th year on Sunday July 30, and Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin Steele and other members of the “Wheels of Justice” team will be among 2.500 cyclists who will participate in the event.
The Tour de Shore is a long-standing tradition for many in Montgomery County, especially those in law enforcement. Each year, officers, detectives, prosecutors and others take part in the challenging ride as part of the “Wheels of Justice” team to benefit children of fallen heroes. The 65-mile bicycle ride begins at the 20th Street Irish Pub in Philadelphia and takes cyclists on a scenic ride through the Greater Philadelphia and South Jersey region, ending at the Pub’s original location in Atlantic City.
The event started 30 years ago with only 20 cyclists that included Pub staff members and loyal patrons. Now, the ride has attracted about 4,000 participants and significantly increased its fundraising goal. In 2016, the event raised $965,000 and this year, a goal of more than $1 million has been set. Since it’s inception, it has raised more than $6 million overall.
Montgomery County law enforcement have long been contributors to the event.
“The Montgomery County law enforcement community is united in coming together for this ride and raising money throughout the year for the families of first responders through the Heroes Fund. This is not just a one-day ride for most of us,” said Steele. “This is personal and has become part of our lives.”
After Steele’s first ride in 2008 with Montgomery