Hop on your bike or team up...

Hop on your bike or team up on your tandem this morning and join the first official bike tour on the Palos Verdes Peninsula.

The inaugural Palos Verdes Bicycle Tour, a family oriented event to benefit the Palos Verdes Chamber of Commerce and Community Helpline, a family support organization, will take cyclists of all skill levels on a leisurely, scenic ride today past the community’s natural and historical sites.

With all the biking fans in Palos Verdes, a group event such as the non-competitive tour is long overdue, said Steven Fowler, who originated the tour idea as a fund-raiser.

“There is no (organized) bike ride up here, but there are thousands of cyclists here on any weekend,” said Fowler, an avid cyclist and general manager of Dimension Cable Services.

Up to 1,800 cyclists are expected to join one of the three courses that have been organized to accommodate riders according to their experience.

The 45-mile ride, which includes steep hills, will begin at 7:15 a.m. The 25-mile tour will begin at 8:30 a.m., followed by the 10-mile ride, designed for family riders, at 9:45 a.m.

The tours travel through town and country, over rolling hills, past scenic cliffs and ocean vistas. Along the way, riders will pass historical and natural landmarks such as Wayfarers’ Chapel and Portuguese Bend.

Cyclists will be guided by volunteers posted at spots along the route, and snacks and water will be available at two stops during the tour.

After the tour, a health fair featuring free massages, body-fat testing, entertainment and refreshments will be open to cyclists and spectators. Tour participants will be eligible to win prizes such as mountain bikes, color televisions and vacation weekends for two.

Though the event is just for fun, some rules must be followed, Fowler said. Riders must wear helmets, street safety laws must be followed and bikes should be inspected before beginning the tour. (Some bike inspections will be available at the tour site.)

Organizers hope the tour will become an annual benefit for the chamber and Community Helpline, raising up to $60,000 each year for the organizations.

Entrance fees are $25 for adults and $15 for riders younger than 16. All tours will start and finish at Palos Verdes Intermediate School, 600 Cloyden Road, Palos Verdes Estates.

The event is underwritten by the Los Angeles Times, Palos Verdes Peninsula News, Dimension Cable Services, Prime Ticket, Star 93.7 FM Radio, Torrance Memorial Medical Center, Torrance Marriott and BFI Portable Services.

Information: (310) 377-7070 or (714) 548-4897.