flight of the dove

thanks for another
fantastic year!

. . . Your Flight crew extends our appreciation to our 300 cyclists, our many supporters, our faithful sponsors, and our countless volunteers who worked so hard to make Flight of the Dove 2011 another huge success. With your help, we raised over $20,000 for Hospice of Laurens County. Our special thanks go to our presenting sponsors, below, and to Presbyterian College for hosting our event and for providing many wonderful student volunteers. .

Scenes from
Flight of the Dove 2011. . .
{click on photos to enlarge}

rider reviews from 2011

"Not one to review, this time I will. With years of organized rides behind me, I can tell you this was probably the best I've been on. The last few years I've ridden FOTD it has been a good ride. Pressed for time this year I rode the 30 mile route. In any parameter you wish to judge, scenery, route, planning, execution, etc this was FIVE STAR!! For me the route was chosen by a cyclist. Hills, but not too many. Flats, but not too many. Roads chosen well for condition. Volunteers were friendly and everywhere focused on the riders safety.Post ride, excellent location, food, activities, all contributed to my best overall experience this year."

"These folks put on a great event. The route was very nice, the support stations well stocked (and the crew at Joanna very enthusiastic), and the SAG trikes and cars were everywhere.Thanks for a great day!"

"Beautiful route. Rest stops were awesome. SAG support great. Very well-organized event. Will definitely ride again!"

"Let me express my appreciation to all who create this ride. It is a thrilling experience from the moment you are greeted by the lot attendants until the moment you leave PC stadium. The ride is "comparatively" one of the best, safest, and well-organized in the area. Everyone is so welcoming and friendly. It was a pleasure to be a part of what you folks do for the cycling community. 2011 marks my third straight year, and it was the best yet. Congratulations!"

This event definitely is my favorite! It just can't get much better with the friendly staff, great amenities at PC, the three wheel guardians, and fabulous SAG's. Some terrific scenery, light traffic, mostly rollers on the metric with just a few long climbers, not too steep. This was my fourth FOTD and I'll be back for sure. It's one of the best run rides around, including Mitchell.

the outline of a bike at the 2011 bush river road rest stop. While a rider stopped for a drink, it sprinkled just a little. scott simmons snapped this shot just after the rider picked his bike up off the pavement....

and a big 'ole thanks to tom and bob galmarini for our 2011 t-shirt design

Flight of the Dove is an annual cycling and fundraising event for Hospice of Laurens County. Since 2006, members of Laurens County Cycling Club have partnered with our local, non profit Hospice to present Flight of the Dove to raise awareness of and money for the care of the terminally ill in our area.

Flight of the Dove features a metric century (62 miles), a 30 mile ride, and a 13 mile leisure ride. A 50 mile variation of the metric is also available. Cue sheets for all rides and directions to the Stadium are available here.

All rides are SAG'ed and have frequent, well-stocked rest stops. Lunch and T-shirts are provided to all pre-registered riders. Local chiropractor, Dr. Don Worley, and his assistants are on site before the ride for massages and consultations. Massages are also available after the ride by Amy Alexander, licensed massage therapist.

Rides begin (8:00 a.m.) and end at Bailey Stadium on the campus of Presbyterian College. Pre-registration is available via Active.com. Same day on-site registration is also welcome beginning at 7:00 a.m.

If you are an out-of-town cyclist, please visit the Laurens County, SC tourism website for information on area hotels, resturants and attractions.

The Metric Century

Our showcase route travels through Laurens, Union, and Newberry Counties over well-paved, lightly traveled roads. The terrain varies from rolling hills to flat terrain. Cyclists will enjoy pedaling through the scenic Sumter National Forest. A featured stop (with facilities) is Rose Hill Plantation State Historic Site, the historic home of South Carolina's "secession governor", William H. Gist.

The Metric Century Course

Terrain Profile
Flight of the Dove
Metric Century

The 30 Mile Ride

Our 30 mile ride remains in Laurens County and is a separate route from the metric century. It travels over rolling hills through the lightly populated southwest end of the county. These roads are also well-paved and lightly traveled by automobile traffic.

Greenwood residents Dr. Scott Kellner and his wife Libba rode the Flight of the Dove 30 mile ride. "We had a great time. We really liked the route and I can't think of a thing I would change about the ride," Dr. Kellner says.

Leisure Ride

Flight of the Dove also offers a 13 mile leisure ride for more casual riders. Our Leisure Ride travels through neighborhoods and surrounding scenic areas of Clinton. Whether you are a hard-core cyclist or just an occasional rider, Flight of the Dove offers rides to suit all.

About Hospice of Laurens County

Hospice of Laurens County is a not-for-profit agency providing not only end-of-life care for patients, but also anticipatory grief services, and bereavement support for the community at large. Hospice of Laurens County accepts all patients, regardless of their insured status or ability to pay for services. Your support of Flight of the Dove benefits patient care and the newly opened Hospice House, pictured below. HoLC's Hospice House is located at 1304 Springdale Drive in Clinton, just across from PC's Bailey Stadium, the departure point of Flight of the Dove.

Presenting Sponsors - 2011 Flight of the Dove:

Thanks to our 2011 Supporting Sponsors. . .

Carolina Family Medicine,
Dr. Michelle Hagenbuch

McCallum Orthodontics, P.A.

In Memory of Sam Owens by SCFOA District 13

SCFOA: Joe Long, David McGee, Matt Wiggins,
Hubert Kinard, and Todd Johnson

Good Times Entertainment and Tents

Family Eye Care Center, Dr. Tom MacMillan

And our thanks to: Keith's Triathlon Shop, Saluda, NC and Liberty Bicycles, Hendersonville, NC

Special accommodations provided by. . .

Our very special thanks to Quality Inn for providing no cost accommodations to our 2011 Wounded Warrior cyclists

Former Presbyterian College professor and Laurens County Cycling Club member, Daniel Hanks is all smiles as he registers for Flight of the Dove.

Cyclists approach Rose Hill State Park during Flight of the Dove 2007.

For additional information about Flight of the Dove, please use the Contact Page on this site.

See what other sites and adventures Laurens County has to offer.

Partial funding for this event is provided by grants from the City of Clinton and the County of Laurens Accommodations Tax Fund.

thanks for another fantastic year!

Scenes from Flight of the Dove 2011. . .{click on photos to enlarge}