Tour de Tonka Returns Saturday

Minnetonka’s biggest outdoor event of the summer returns this week. Tour de Tonka is an annual Minnetonka Community Education bike ride—it's not a race!—through Lake Minnetonka communities that raises money for ICA Food Shelf. The eight-year partnership has raised over $25,000.

Riders can take in beautiful scenery while biking 16-, 26-, 43-, 51-, 77- or 100-mile routes. People of all ages and abilities participate. Last year’s race drew nearly 2,800 riders, and organizers expect 3,000 people this year.

The rest stops will have refreshments and snacks—and most will have live music.

Tour de Tonka takes place Saturday. All riders need to be in the bike corral by 7 a.m. The first group of riders leaves the bike corral at 7:30 a.m. Helmets are mandatory.

Click here to register. Same day registration begins at 5:30 a.m.

The event also requires hundreds of volunteers. Click here to register to volunteer.

Other events you should know about in the week ahead:

• Same-sex marriage is legal Aug. 1: Several state laws take effect Aug. 1, and none is better known than the law legalizing same-sex marriage. Hennepin County started accepting license requests June 6. On Thursday, couples can finally put those licenses to use. Do you know of a happy couple getting married who’d like to share their story? E-mail Patch Editor James Warden at James.Warden@Patch.com.
  
• Get ready to head back to school: Students have another month until heading back to school Sept. 3, but it’s never too early to start getting ready. Parents can find Minnetonka school supply lists, information on back-to-school events and more here. Hopkins information is available on the Hopkins Public Schools website.
• ResourceWest needs school supplies: While you’re thinking of school, why not consider giving to families who could use some help. ResourceWest is asking the community to donate school supplies. The organization will give supplies to nearly 1,300 kids from struggling families and plans to raise $20,000. Supplies can be brought to ResourceWest (915 Mainstreet, Hopkins). Monetary donations can also be made online or by calling Joyce at (952) 988-5349.