Applications are now available for the "Canon Discover Long Island Bike Tour" - the bi-county area's largest cycling event. The event is set this year for Sunday, Oct. 15.

The family-oriented Canon Discover Long Island Bike Tour is presented by the Nassau County Department of Recreation and Parks and sponsored by Canon U.S.A., Inc. Net proceeds will go to worthy local charities.

The tour (it's not a race) will take cyclers on a traffic-free excursion of Nassau's South Shore. Starting at 8 a.m. on Charles Lindbergh Blvd. at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, the tour will head down Meadowbrook Parkway to Point Lookout Beach via the Loop Parkway, and return for a gala finish reception. Cyclists may choose tours of 15, 25 or 50 miles

Applications can be obtained at Mobil gas stations, EAB Bank branches, all Nassau County-operated parks and at New York State parks on Long Island. Additional information and applications can be obtained by calling 735-3100 or by faxing your request to 735-3424. More information can be obtained by contacting the bike tour web site at www.derf.com.

Pre-registration by mail will be accepted until Sept. 27 at a fee of $25 for adults and $12 for children (8-17) accompanied by parent or guardian. Those who sign up prior to Sept. 22 will receive a free bike tour T-shirt. In person registration will be taken from Oct. 11 through Oct. 13 from 3 to 7 p.m. and on Oct. 14 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the administration building in Eisenhower Park, East Meadow. Day of event registration, at a fee of $30 per adult, will run from 6:30 to 7:45 a.m. at the starting site. Group sales are also available. Helmets will be required for all riders.

Net proceeds will benefit the following: Disabled Children's Relief Fund; Education & Assistance Corp.; Natural Heritage Trust; Friends of Nassau County Recreation; and the New York State Games for the Physically Challenged.