Why go to France when you can Tour de Pig right here in Limestone County?

For the second time — the first was in 2006 — the Tour de Pig Metric Century Bicycle Tour will be held to benefit construction of a local bike trail, as well as the local revitalization group Spirit of Athens.

When the first phase of the trail is complete in 2009, it will help Limestone County compete for business, industry and new residents, said Carl Hunt, member of the Limestone County Parks and Recreation Department board.

“It’s really a promotion of health and fitness and recreation, and an attempt to differentiate our county a little by focusing on these types of activities,” he said. “And it contributes to economic development.”

Bikers can participate in 26- or 64-mile rides at the event, which is being held April 19 in conjunction with the Dogwood Festival.

Fees are $30 for the 64-mile ride; $20 for the 26-mile ride, with an additional $5 for registering the day of the event. To register online, visit http://www.active.com/event_detail.cfm?event_id=1529177. Online registration closes on April 12.

Event-day registration begins at 6:30 a.m. on the courthouse square in downtown Athens Helmets are required; aid stations set every 12 miles.

The event is named for its largest corporate sponsor: Piggly Wiggly stores in Elkmont and Ardmore.

Construction and marking of Limestone County’s 100-mile bike trail, to be called Noah’s Trail in honor of contributors Alston and Lisa Noah, will begin this fall and will likely take a year to complete, Hunt said.

This first phase will require road improvements, signage to mark the route and creation of a path that will run alongside Piney Chapel Road for the portion of the trail from Piney Chapel Elementary School to the entrance of Rails-to-Trails on that road.

Work on this trail, budgeted to cost $500,000, is being funded with local private contributions, municipal contributions and in-kind work by the cities of Athens and Elkmont, Limestone County’s Department of Parks and Recreation and state and federal grants.

Phase 2 of the bike trail will be a loop in the eastern half of Limestone County from Ardmore then south almost to Mooresville, Hunt said. A third phase will be a southern loop from Athens to Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant, through Tanner to Mooresville and back to Athens.