Another successful Tour de Lavender is in the books. The annual event sponsored by the Peninsula Trails Coalition, which took place on Saturday, Aug. 2, drew 1,014 participants – an increase of about 10 percent over last year, according to Event Coordinator Lorrie Mittmann.

Created in 2013, the event gives cyclists of all skill levels an opportunity to experience the Olympic Peninsula with views of the Olympic Mountains, the Salish Sea and purple lavender fields.

The day begins and ends at the Sequim Boys and Girls Club, culminating with pizza, a beer garden and socializing. Snacks, beverages and mechanical support are available at the Sequim-Dungeness Valley lavender farms on the route, and volunteers transport to the Boys and Girls Club any items purchased at the farms by cyclists.

Tour de Lavender participants can choose between two routes: the 34-mile Fun Ride and the 64-mile Metric Century.

The Fun Ride is a loop and is for cyclists looking for a more casual, relaxed ride. The route is over mostly level terrain, and most of it is on low traffic country roads as well as the Olympic Discovery Trail, according to tourdelavender.com. The Metric Century is also a loop course, but the route incorporates two more challenging hill climbs.

Mittmann said that everything “went very smoothly.”

“We have a great committee of (about 100) volunteers that help put on this entire event,” she said.

Carol and Frank Horiwitz relax with some cider after a long ride during Saturday’s Tour de Lavender event.

Sequim Gazette photos by Jacques Star From left, Abby Coburn, David Coburn, Diana Coburn, Rachel Coburn and Jeff Coburn pause for a snapshot during the Saturday, Aug. 2, Tour de Lavender annual event sponsored by the Peninsula Trails Coalition. All are from Missoula, Mont. and all, with the exception of Abby, now reside locally.

Diane Moses, left, Monica Jordan and Leanne Quackenbush stop at the snack table at Lit Lavender during Saturday’s Tour de Lavender cycling event.

Tour de Lavender cyclists Tina and Andy Lahil learn from Joe Regalia how lavender oil is made during their stop at Lit Lavender.

For some, the annual Tour de Lavender is a family affair.

Sequim Gazette photo by Jacques Star/ With the Olympic Mountains as a backdrop, a group of Tour de Lavender participants arrive at Olympic Bluffs Cidery and Lavender Farm.

Sequim Gazette photo by Jacques Star/ A Tour de Lavender rider arrives at Lit Lavender with his canine companion.