With superb weather and much anticipation TRITEC Real Estate Company held the 8th annual Montauk We Hope Bicycle Tour and Clambake on Sept. 8th.

The ride, which starts at TRITEC\'s headquarters in East Setauket and ends at Hither Hills State Park in Montauk, was started in September of 2000. Since its inception, ridership has grown to nearly 400 riders and has become one of the fastest growing bike tours on Long Island.

The primary beneficiary of Montauk We Hope\'s effort is Hope House Ministries in Port Jefferson, New York. Founded in the spirit of St. Louis DeMontfort, Hope House\'s mission is to provide compassionate, comprehensive and competent care for the poor, the marginal and the wounded among us. Specifically, they are committed to helping young people and families in crisis, pregnant women, mothers and babies in crisis and all other wounded people within our society. Through the assimilation of 6 separate human service facilities that incorporate seven unique programs, Hope House Ministries provides hope, care and compassion to nearly 2,000 individuals in need each month.

The 75-mile bike tour travels along the North Shore through wine country to Greenport, where it the heads south across Shelter Island to the South Fork. Riders then proceed to Hither Hills State Park, where a clambake and barbeque await.

For those looking to go a little further, the tour includes the 100 mile \"X-TremeRide\" for more advanced riders. It continues past Hither Hills to the Montauk Point Lighthouse and back to Hither Hills State Park.