The streets of Cayuga County will literally be overflowing with bicycles from Saturday through July 29.
Starting bright and early on Saturday, the third annual Owasco Stage Race will kick off with the East Lake Time Trials.
Race director Dean Furnia said that over the past few years the race has grown in more ways than one.
“When we first started we did two races,” Furnia said. “Last year we decided to do three races over two days. I think that really improved the race. Last year we had 370 registered racers, that is more than double what we had our first year, so the race has really been growing.”
Saturday evening after the time trial, the race will continue with a circuit race that includes Valentine, Granger Hall, Harter and Gahwiler Roads in Owasco. The race will wrap up with Sunday's Owasco Challenge Road Race.
The race presented by Rite Aide, will also feature the Rite Aide racing team.
“There are going to be pro cycling teams,” Furnia said. “That should be pretty exciting; it is something that people don't normally get to see.”
Furnia said that the race committee has been hard at work looking at ways to make the race better and they are constantly trying to improve on what they did the year before.
“That is why we started doing three races,” Furnia said. “If people are going to come out here you have to give them their money's worth. But we really pay attention and that has helped it grow and become a better race. We changed the road race to make it more challenging and in general a better race.”
For those more inclined to the pace of a leisurely ride through the Finger Lakes, the YMCA will be hosting the 10th annual Bon Ton Roulet.
Executive director of the Y, Jim Courtney said that the idea came from the efforts of the Y to find a special event to host in the summer months.
“We wanted to have a special event,” Courtney said. “We thought of doing something like a bike tour. Al Hastings presented the idea and we were excited about it, so we looked into it and said we would see what happens. It has been very successful ever since.”
The six-day ride passes through the Finger Lakes stopping in towns like Auburn, Cortland and Canadaigua among others and draws riders from all over the country, some coming from as far away as California.
“We usually get people from about 30 states,” Courtney said. “I think it is the quality of the ride, it is well organized and it is a beautiful region, with a well deserved reputation for its beauty that makes for a wonderful place to ride through. So I think it is that combo of beauty and organization that attracts people.”
On a daily basis, the ride will go about 50 miles with stops planned for rest, food and site seeing as well as nightly camping and live entertainment provided.
“It really is a wonderful ride,” Courtney said. “There is breakfast and cars that carry all the riders' equipment to the next camping site, so they don't have to worry about any of that.
“Throughout the day there are stops with snacks and water and there are all these wonderful communities to ride through. I think the ride has really become beneficial for everyone involved.”
Race director Dean Furnia said that over the past few years the race has grown in more ways than one.
“When we first started we did two races,” Furnia said. “Last year we decided to do three races over two days. I think that really improved the race. Last year we had 370 registered racers, that is more than double what we had our first year, so the race has really been growing.”
Saturday evening after the time trial, the race will continue with a circuit race that includes Valentine, Granger Hall, Harter and Gahwiler Roads in Owasco. The race will wrap up with Sunday's Owasco Challenge Road Race.
The race presented by Rite Aide, will also feature the Rite Aide racing team.
“There are going to be pro cycling teams,” Furnia said. “That should be pretty exciting; it is something that people don't normally get to see.”
Furnia said that the race committee has been hard at work looking at ways to make the race better and they are constantly trying to improve on what they did the year before.
“That is why we started doing three races,” Furnia said. “If people are going to come out here you have to give them their money's worth. But we really pay attention and that has helped it grow and become a better race. We changed the road race to make it more challenging and in general a better race.”
For those more inclined to the pace of a leisurely ride through the Finger Lakes, the YMCA will be hosting the 10th annual Bon Ton Roulet.
Executive director of the Y, Jim Courtney said that the idea came from the efforts of the Y to find a special event to host in the summer months.
“We wanted to have a special event,” Courtney said. “We thought of doing something like a bike tour. Al Hastings presented the idea and we were excited about it, so we looked into it and said we would see what happens. It has been very successful ever since.”
The six-day ride passes through the Finger Lakes stopping in towns like Auburn, Cortland and Canadaigua among others and draws riders from all over the country, some coming from as far away as California.
“We usually get people from about 30 states,” Courtney said. “I think it is the quality of the ride, it is well organized and it is a beautiful region, with a well deserved reputation for its beauty that makes for a wonderful place to ride through. So I think it is that combo of beauty and organization that attracts people.”
On a daily basis, the ride will go about 50 miles with stops planned for rest, food and site seeing as well as nightly camping and live entertainment provided.
“It really is a wonderful ride,” Courtney said. “There is breakfast and cars that carry all the riders' equipment to the next camping site, so they don't have to worry about any of that.
“Throughout the day there are stops with snacks and water and there are all these wonderful communities to ride through. I think the ride has really become beneficial for everyone involved.”
The Citizens' Say
There are No comments posted.