Local bicycle enthusiasts are blessed by Cayuga County's scenic beauty, and varied terrain.

The wonderful choices of bicycle riding routes served as one of the stimuli for some local cyclist to  bring back a once popular citizen road race, now in its fourth year of resurgence.

This race, “The Owasco Flyer” will take place at 10 a.m., June 25, starting at Emerson Park.

This race is considered a citizen race insuch that any racer does not require United States Cycling Federation (USCF) licensing to participate.

More importantly, all proceeds of this local race stay in Cayuga County to benefit the Auburn YMCA's underpriviliged summer camp program.

Though the race is for all serious recreational cyclists, it is not just a leisure Sunday ride.

The race is 36 miles with 14 hills and more than 1,600 feet in vertical elevation, all within the border of southern Cayuga County.

There will be more than $1,000 in prize money awarded to the top riders, and previous years participants have included nationally ranked amateur riders and several top 20 Great Race cyclists.

This race involved 200 riders last year and organizers hope for over 250 this year.

The bike race certainly would not be successful without the multitude of local sponsors: Geneva Bicycle Center, Owens-Illinois, D&W Diesel, Auburn Armature, Iagt, Auburn Diagnostic Imaging Center, Terry Precision cycling, Auburn YMCA, Tangidyne Corp., Wegmans, Michaels & Smolak trial lawyers, Mack Studios, Sullivan&Associates, Citigroup, Goulds Pumps/Itt  Industries.

Further information about the race, including entering and volunteering can be obtained by calling Jack Kirch at 252-7611, or by e-mailing him at jackkirch@juno.com, or Mike Tersegno at mtersegno@adelphia.net

Button is a race committee member for the Owasco Flyer