of weekend cycle tours promising riders breathtaking views , and the kinds of challenges and camaraderie that will return a lifetime of amazing memories . More than 600 cyclists from six states participated in the four rides in the inaugural Cyclefest in 2017 .
The Ride Experience Good Morning Starshine Thursday morning , Aug . 2
Perhaps the prettiest place to find yourself in all of Erie is on Presque Isle peninsula during the summer sunrise . Daybreak at Presque Isle is so spectacular that Lake Erie Cyclefest decided to add a sunrise tour of Presque Isle State Park . And , who better to guide the tour than ABC ’ s Good Morning Erie ’ s Traci Teudhope .
loop of the county . The rides end with a picnic and all riders will be given tokens to exchange for a beer sampling from Five & 20 Spirits & Brewing at the HUB .
Oscar the Grouch ’ s Gravel Grinder Sunday , Aug . 5
Brand-new to Lake Erie Cyclefest is the Gravel Grinder , so dirty and bumpy that it will make Oscar even grouchier . Not for the faint of heart or road bike , this grinder begins at Lake Erie Speedway and follows an early Sunday morning 25-mile route around eastern Erie County ’ s beautiful Eaton Reservoir , then tags New York and returns to the speedway . The ride will end with a picnic and a beer sampling from Five & 20 Spirits & Brewing .
About Erie ’ s Blues & Jazz Festival
Now in its 26th year , Erie ’ s Blues & Jazz Festival celebrates its second quartercentury under the leadership of a new board in alliance with Erie Arts & Culture , with founder John Vanco continuing as artistic director . Building on last year ’ s expansion , the festival will again present three days of arts activities and outstanding performances for the entire family . Frontier Park will be alive with art of all types while serving as a gathering “ hub ” for the bicycle tours .
Internationally acclaimed Squonk Opera — a multidisciplinary ensemble of artists who create post-industrial performances with original music , design and staging “ outside the rules of mass culture , fashion or academia ”— headline
Bike Erie Slow Roll Thursday evening , Aug . 2
Whether you ’ re visiting Erie from a long distance or you ’ ve lived here all your life , you will love this fun and lively , creative slow-ride tour of Erie . The ride ends with live music in Perry Square .
YMCA Jelly Jar Friday , Aug . 3
A 25- or 50-mile non-competitive ride through the Lake Erie grape-growing region , which is the largest grape-growing region in the world , and in August , smells simply grape-er-rific ! The ride will conclude with a picnic with woodfired pizza from Brooklyn Pizza and a beer sampling from Five & 20 Spirits & Brewing .
Tour de West County Saturday , Aug . 4
This is Erie County ’ s premier bicycle tour with a longstanding tradition of spectacular routes , safety support , water stops and after-ride fun . Tour de West County offers a 12- , 25- , or 50-mile tour — and for the more adventurous , a 100-mile
WQLN Alley Cat Ride Sunday , Aug . 5
This is Lake Erie Cyclefest ’ s only bike race . Alley Cat bike races are nine-clue , fun-filled adventure bike rides for the whole family . Cyclefest ’ s Alley Cat is a scavenger hunt , which will find you slinking and striding around and through Erie ’ s downtown neighborhoods .
Riders will be given lanyards featuring drawings of what they need to find and “ interesting ” clues as to where they can be found . Out-of-towners will learn how friendly Erieites are as they call out directions from porches , gardens and lawns . The ride ends with a beer sampling from Five & 20 Spirits & Brewing and the jazzy portion of Erie ’ s Blues & Jazz Festival . the Friday and Saturday activities . Scores of artists will participate in visual arts exhibitions — film , theatrical , dance , poetry and puppetry performances — and lead audience engagement activities for both children and adults . Blues from Chicago and jazz from New York are part of the first-rate lineup of regional , national and international musical artists . Offerings from the region ’ s mobile food services will complement the usual diverse lineup of local food vendors with Food Truck Friday . Teaming up with Lake Erie Cyclefest is a natural for the Blues & Jazz Festival , a longstanding green event that emphasizes environmental awareness by encouraging comprehensive recycling ; walking , cycling , and public transportation ; and by championing its beautiful setting in the Lake Erie Arboretum at Frontier ( LEAF ), which will be conducting tours throughout the weekend .
Erie ’ s Rhythm and Ride Weekend is presented by Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield and Saint Vincent Hospital , Allegheny Health Network .
To learn more about these events , visit www . rhythmandrideweekend . org . n
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