The Citizen
Sam Tenney / The Citizen
Sunday's Owasco Flyer road race will begin at Emerson Park and continue around Owasco Lake for 35 miles.
Sunday's Owasco Flyer road race will begin at Emerson Park and continue around Owasco Lake for 35 miles.
A bike ride around Owasco Lake is a popular activity for area cycling enthusiasts. On Sunday, about 200 of them will take the trip in hopes of winning some cash and supporting a program for local campers.
The annual Owasco Flyer cycling race draws road bikers of various ages, backgrounds and experience to the course around the lake. The open race begins at Emerson Park, and will kick off at 10 a.m.
Though there is a reduced rate for people who sign up by Friday, those interested in participating can register until 9:30 a.m. the day of the race.
Jack Kirch, race director for the Owasco Flyer, said Tuesday that the 35-mile course is very challenging. Serious cyclists come from all over central New York to make a go at some of the $1,100 in cash prizes.
But Kirch also said the race is friendly to first-timers and casual riders. You don't need a USA Cycling license to participate, and multiple skill and fitness levels are represented every year.
“You don't want to enter this race if you're saying, 'OK, I want to go for an easy Sunday ride,' ” he said. “But it's very rewarding. People will feel a great reward by finishing the race if it is their first.”
The 26-year-old race has seen teenagers and cyclists in their 60s cross the finish line. First-timers, Kirch said, don't have to worry about keeping up, and they often use their inaugural time as a bench mark to reach and surpass in following years.
“Just as a stand-alone bicycle race, this is probably one of the best around,” he said. “You will find people to ride with, and you will make new friends.”
The first 200 who register will get a T-shirt and water bottle, and there will be multiple prizes for top finishers in different age groups.
But all racers get the chance to support the YMCA's camp scholarship program. The organization is running the event again, and proceeds will go to help children attend the organization's summer camps.
“This affords a great summer camp experience to a lot of local kids,” Kirch said. “We think it's a pretty good cause.”
There will be about 40 volunteers helping run the race on Sunday.
A number of local sponsors have also contributed to the event, including AAI, Geneva Bicycle Center, ITT Goulds Pumps, Mident, Michaels & Smolak, Owens-Illinois, Mack Studios Displays, Diagnostic Imaging Center, Astor Chocolate, Wegmans, Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, Six Chiropractic and Sullivan and Associates.
But even with all the incentives to participate, Kirch said the cycling itself has a lot to offer in the area. The Finger Lakes region is a popular cycling destination, and Sunday's race gives everyone a chance to experience it for themselves.
“Cycling is a fun sport to partake in because of all the good scenery,” Kirch said. “It's great exercise, and a lot of good, friendly competition.”
Christopher Caskey
253-5311 ext. 282
christopher.caskey@lee.net
If you go.
What: Owasco Flyer
When: Race begins 10 a.m., day-of registration from 8:30-9:30 a.m.
Where: Emerson Park, Route 38A, Owasco
Cost: $25 if registered by 8 p.m. Friday, $35 after
Registration: Online at www.bikereg.com or register on location the day of the race
Info: Visit www.owasco flyer.com
The annual Owasco Flyer cycling race draws road bikers of various ages, backgrounds and experience to the course around the lake. The open race begins at Emerson Park, and will kick off at 10 a.m.
Though there is a reduced rate for people who sign up by Friday, those interested in participating can register until 9:30 a.m. the day of the race.
Jack Kirch, race director for the Owasco Flyer, said Tuesday that the 35-mile course is very challenging. Serious cyclists come from all over central New York to make a go at some of the $1,100 in cash prizes.
But Kirch also said the race is friendly to first-timers and casual riders. You don't need a USA Cycling license to participate, and multiple skill and fitness levels are represented every year.
“You don't want to enter this race if you're saying, 'OK, I want to go for an easy Sunday ride,' ” he said. “But it's very rewarding. People will feel a great reward by finishing the race if it is their first.”
The 26-year-old race has seen teenagers and cyclists in their 60s cross the finish line. First-timers, Kirch said, don't have to worry about keeping up, and they often use their inaugural time as a bench mark to reach and surpass in following years.
“Just as a stand-alone bicycle race, this is probably one of the best around,” he said. “You will find people to ride with, and you will make new friends.”
The first 200 who register will get a T-shirt and water bottle, and there will be multiple prizes for top finishers in different age groups.
But all racers get the chance to support the YMCA's camp scholarship program. The organization is running the event again, and proceeds will go to help children attend the organization's summer camps.
“This affords a great summer camp experience to a lot of local kids,” Kirch said. “We think it's a pretty good cause.”
There will be about 40 volunteers helping run the race on Sunday.
A number of local sponsors have also contributed to the event, including AAI, Geneva Bicycle Center, ITT Goulds Pumps, Mident, Michaels & Smolak, Owens-Illinois, Mack Studios Displays, Diagnostic Imaging Center, Astor Chocolate, Wegmans, Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, Six Chiropractic and Sullivan and Associates.
But even with all the incentives to participate, Kirch said the cycling itself has a lot to offer in the area. The Finger Lakes region is a popular cycling destination, and Sunday's race gives everyone a chance to experience it for themselves.
“Cycling is a fun sport to partake in because of all the good scenery,” Kirch said. “It's great exercise, and a lot of good, friendly competition.”
Christopher Caskey
253-5311 ext. 282
christopher.caskey@lee.net
If you go.
What: Owasco Flyer
When: Race begins 10 a.m., day-of registration from 8:30-9:30 a.m.
Where: Emerson Park, Route 38A, Owasco
Cost: $25 if registered by 8 p.m. Friday, $35 after
Registration: Online at www.bikereg.com or register on location the day of the race
Info: Visit www.owasco flyer.com
Citizen
Hot Jobs
Off the Menu
The Citizens' Say
Post your comment - click hereThere are No comments posted.