Although it was only their first year organizing it, the Mattapoisett Land Trust and Mattapoisett Bike Path Committee had no trouble getting folks to sign up for an afternoon of cycling and ice cream sampling.

The Tour de Crème featured three routes, 48-, 25- and 13-miles long, that intersected with a total of seven creameries and one soda bar.

Marc Anderson, a long-distance cyclist, first thought of mapping out creameries between Mattapoisett and Rhode Island as something to do on a 70-mile ride. He told Mattapoisett Land Trust President Mike Huguenin about the ride, and “I think at that point a light bulb went off in his head,” said Anderson. “He said, ‘Let’s do an event.’”

Huguenin and Bike Path Committee member Bonne DeSousa decided to join forces for the event as a way to promote and raise funds for both organizations. Through fall, winter and spring, the pair, along with Anderson and the groups’ members, organized the tour, which started at Town Beach and went through seven towns, including Fairhaven, Acushnet, Rochester and Freetown, depending on the route.

A total of 158 people from ages one to eight-one participated in the race, coming from six states and 40 towns in the Commonwealth, said Anderson.

“It’s just been a phenomenal response,” he said.

He stressed that it was a team effort with more than 70 volunteers, including dozens stationed at checkpoints along each route, and of course, those handing out scoops of ice cream at the creameries.

Relieved that it didn’t rain as forecast, Phoebe Girard said she had a great time.

“It was a perfect ride,” she said. “It was new territory for me.”

Others were pretty happy to hit up all the sweet stops.

“I did it for the ice cream,” said Jan Fatula, who took the 25-mile route.

Mark Gracia of Rochester, on the other hand, was among those who decided to forgo the ice cream, stopping only when he had to check in. After reaching the end of his 48-mile ride, which culminated at the Land Trust’s Munro Preserve, Gracia said, “Maybe I’ll go do the thirteen [mile], see what’s happening in Fairhaven.”

While Gracia took another spin, others enjoyed the after party, which included massages by Barley Wellness and Spa, beer from Buzzards Bay Brewing and food from Oxford Creamery’s Oxcart.

The event raised more than $5,000 in donations for the organizations, and Anderson said next year they hope to expand on the idea.

As satisfied cyclist Crystal Buckminster said, “It’s a good start to the season.”