Tour die Kapellen
- Date Sat 12th July 2025
- Time 6:30AM CDT
- Location Hays, Kansas
- Price $54.00 - $80.50
- Races 8 races
- Distances Ultra
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Event summary
Join us for the Tour die Kapellen on Saturday, July 12, 2025, in the charming community of Hays, Ellis County! This unique cycling event, which began in 2019, celebrates the rich Volga-German heritage of the area by guiding participants through historic limestone churches while immersing them in the vibrant ethnic culture of the region. Riders will enjoy a scenic route that showcases the stunning open rural terrain, making it a perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of daily life.
Whether you're an avid cyclist or looking to experience the festivities alongside friends and family, the Tour die Kapellen has something for everyone. With professional musicians performing at various venues along the route, attendees can soak in the local culture while enjoying the warmth of Midwest hospitality. Plus, for those who prefer a more relaxed experience, a Bus Tour has been added to accommodate non-cyclists. Don't miss out on this unforgettable celebration of community, culture, and cycling!
Whether you're an avid cyclist or looking to experience the festivities alongside friends and family, the Tour die Kapellen has something for everyone. With professional musicians performing at various venues along the route, attendees can soak in the local culture while enjoying the warmth of Midwest hospitality. Plus, for those who prefer a more relaxed experience, a Bus Tour has been added to accommodate non-cyclists. Don't miss out on this unforgettable celebration of community, culture, and cycling!
Organiser's Description
The Tour die Kapellen (Tour of the Chapels) was organized in 2019 as a joint venture between four rural communities in the Ellis County area along with members of the Hays Symphony and Hays Convention and Visitors Bureau. Through the efforts of volunteers from Hays Area Bicyclists, Catherine, Victoria, Pfeifer, Munjor and the Fort Hays State Music Department, the event has become a popular, uniquely supported, organized cycling ride. The event celebrates the Volga-German heritage in the Ellis County area, as riders visit historic limestone churches, experience the ethnic culture, and listen to professional musicians at each venue all through a commute on cycle. The solitude of the open, rural terrain is an added bonus for anyone hoping to escape a hectic, daily routine. The small town, midwest friendliness is unforgettable to all visiting Ellis County. In 2022, the Bus Tour was added to accommodate the non-cyclists traveling to Hays.
Races
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Tour Die Kapellen, 62 Mile, Metric Century - 4 Chapels
Incl. $4.00 Fee & T-Shirt or 6-Pack Cooler Bag, German or Vegan Meal
Sat 12th July 2025 (6:30AM CDT)
$54.00
The Metric Century Route begins at Municipal Park, (Optional stop at St. Joseph Church to hear pipe organist, Tom Meagher). Ride continues on asphalt to Catherine, Victoria, Pfeifer, Munjor and back to Hays. It includes the post-ride German meal with live music, T-shirt and the Swag Bags. -
Tour Die Kapellen, 100 Mile, Gran Fondo - 6 Chapels
Incl. $4.00 Fee & T-Shirt or 6-Pack Cooler Bag and German or Vegan Meal
Sat 12th July 2025 (6:30AM CDT)
$54.00
RIDERS ON THIS ROUTE may opt to self start prior to group start from Municipal Park. The TdK Gran Fondo begins at Municipal Park, (Optional stop at St. Joseph Church to hear pipe organist, Tom Meagher). Ride continues on asphalt to Catherine, Victoria, Pfeifer, Munjor, Schoenchen, Antonino and back to Hays. It includes the post-ride German meal with live music, T-shirt and the Swag Bags. RIDERS ON THIS ROUTE may opt to self start prior to group start from Municipal Park. -
Tour Die Kapellen 15 Mile Ride - 1 Chapel
Incl. $4.00 Fee & T-Shirt or 6-Pack Cooler Bag and German or Vegan Meal
Sat 12th July 2025 (9:00AM CDT)
$54.00
The 15 Mile Ride is a guided ride with no rider left behind. Riders will meet at 9:00 a.m. in the shelter house of Municipal park. From there the group will pedal to St. Francis Church in Munjor, led by experienced cyclists, Kathy Rome and Susan Bowles. The terrain is flat. You will be greeted at the Munjor church with sounds from the Hays Symphony principal cellist, Ben Cline. After visiting the church and refreshments, the cyclists head back as a group to attend the after-ride party. It includes the post-ride German meal with live music, T-shirt and the Swag Bags. -
Tour Die Kapellen 30 Mile Ride - 2 Chapels
Incl. $4.00 Fee & T-Shirt or 6-Pack Cooler Bag and German or Vegan Meal
Sat 12th July 2025 (6:30AM CDT)
$54.00
This route begins at Municipal Park, (Optional stop at St. Joseph Church to hear pipe organist, Tom Meagher). Ride continues on asphalt to Catherine, Victoria and back to Hays. It includes the post-ride German meal with live music, T-shirt and the Swag Bags. -
Tour Die Kapellen 52 Mile Ride - 5 Chapels
Incl. $4.00 Fee & T-Shirt or 6-Pack Cooler Bag and German or Vegan Meal
Sat 12th July 2025 (6:30AM CDT)
$54.00
This intermediate route departs Municipal Park (Optional stop at St. Joseph Church to hear pipe organist, Tom Meagher), continues on to Catherine, then Victoria and head to the ornately Gothic, sculpted Holy Cross Shrine in Pfeifer. You will hear a violin solo as Hays Symphony Conductor Brian Buckstead plays this acoustic gem. You will marvel at the details in the carved craftsmanship. There are restrooms open in the school next to the church. Deb Hoffman, a Pfeifer native, is providing tours; meet locals Patty and Janice hosting the SAG. There is one short (1/2 mile) incline at 3.7% grade; otherwise, the terrain is relatively flat. It includes the post-ride German meal with live music, T-shirt and the Swag Bags. From this church, the route takes you back to Hays. -
Tour Die Kapellen - Create Your Own Route
Incl. $4.00 Fee & T-Shirt or 6-Pack Cooler Bag and German or Vegan Meal
Sat 12th July 2025 (6:30AM CDT)
$54.00
NEW THIS YEAR!! Select the venues you would like to visit and make your own route. Some options are on website https://tourdiekapellen.com/2025-ride/#route. IMPORTANT to note, This ride is completely self-supported! Sweepers may be on the route, and they may not; SAG's might be open, but may not; Musicians may be at the churches, but may not. PLEASE CHECK schedules of musicians and SAGS. Emergency phone is always available for assistance, and support vehicles are on call. -
Tour Die Kapellen - 54 Mile Mixed Surface
Incl. $4.00 Fee & T-Shirt or 6-Pack Cooler Bag and German or Vegan Meal
Sat 12th July 2025 (6:30AM CDT)
$54.00
The Mixed Surface Route (54- miles) is 27 miles of gravel, 27 miles of asphalt. This ride commences with the group at 7:00 a.m. Local cycle enthusiast, Ron Leiker, will join the group to answer any questions or give updates on route changes. The route covers rolling terrain dirt, sand, washboard, chalk, possibly mud roads. This is coordinated to arrive at the four churches in the window of time that the musicians are playing. It includes the post-ride German meal with live music, T-shirt and the Swag Bags. -
Tour Die Kapellen - Bus Tour
Incl. $5.50 Fee & T-Shirt or 6-Pack Cooler Bag and German or Vegan Meal
Sat 12th July 2025 (8:00AM CDT)
$80.50
The Tour of Chapels via Bus will depart 30 minutes after the cyclists are escorted from the Municipal Park. The route will travel to the same destinations as the cyclists: St. Catherine Church, The Basilica on the Plains, Holy Cross Church, St. Anns Church, and St. Francis Church. Participants will enjoy the snacks, the music, and the historic information at each of the four churches. Along the route, the bus passes by the George Grants Villa , Old Walker Air Base and the remains of the Emmeram Church. All registrants receive a SWAG bag and a T-shirt. The bus returns to Municipal Park to join in After-Ride Party for a German meal, beverage, and music. A limited number of seats are available, so book early!
Tour die Kapellen