I raced in the two-day Owasco Stage Bicycle Race, and it was a great event, despite the rain on Saturday. More than 260 cyclists from all over the Northeast and Canada participated, supporting local hotels and restaurants.

Many thanks to the Auburn Rotary Club for sponsoring the event as well as race director, Dean Furnia, for pulling off another successful, quality event.

None of this could have happened without the generous time commitment and support of the many volunteers who made this a safe bike race.

The West Niles Fire Department was particularly gracious in allowing the racers to use the fire department facility and parking lot for the last minute change to the second stage of the race, which was held off of Valentine Road in Owasco/Niles. Emerson Park as always, was a perfect starting point for the events.

Auburn is a unique town nestled in the heart of the Finger Lakes, that is now associated with providing quality sporting events such as the Owasco Stage Race, the Owasco Flyer Cycling Race, the Great Race, and the Bon-Ton Roulet bicycle tour.

I swell with pride when I hear the bike racers comment how beautiful it is here in Auburn, and how lucky the people are to live in this pristine location.

Take the time during the rest of our summer to enjoy what we have - take a walk along the lake, get an ice cream at Tom Thumb, ride a bike or just take a drive around the lake and take it all in. It really is a special place.

Michael Tersegno

Auburn