Tour de Houston roars back in April

Pedaling the news: This year's course takes off at Discovery Green and heads west through downtown to Allen Parkway and then Memorial Drive.

Zoom in: There are three course lengths: 10 miles for casual riders and families, 20 miles for intermediate cyclists and 45 miles for the likes of those training for the 150-mile Texas MS 150, which is two weeks after the Houston ride.

• Riders of the 10-mile course will circle back to downtown from Memorial Park, and 20-mile riders will continue west and turn around in the Tanglewood neighborhood.
• The 45-mile cyclists will pedal out to Westside High School on Briar Forest Drive near Texas Highway 6 before turning around.

The intrigue: Proceeds support the city's Re-Plant Houston program, a longtime beneficiary of the ride's registration fees.

• The fees have funded more than $1.2 million in urban reforestation efforts since the inaugural Tour de Houston in 2005, according to ride organizers.

Plus: For the first time, participants will receive a commemorative T-shirt and enhanced rest stops along the route.

• Organizers are also throwing an afterparty with music, food and bike vendors.

If you go: Registration is $45.

• An official ride jersey is also available for $69.