Erie, PA: As the new year begins and millions of Americans create their resolutions, many will set their sights on health and wellness-related goals. Whether it’s beginning to get active or looking to log more miles than last year, the Erie Sports Commission is pleased to announce that registration for this year’s Lake Erie Cyclefest begins today and has great options for every cycling goal.
This year’s event, featuring six rides over four days across Erie County, will take place July 27-30 and will once again benefit partnering nonprofit organizations.
Those looking to start cycling for the first time can set their sights on shorter rides, like the Lake Erie Cyclefest Downtown Slow Roll, or the shorter-distance options offered by the Tour de West County, Presque Isle Sunrise Ride and See Spot Ride, Ride for Animal Rescue. Each ride offers unique landscapes and difficulty levels.
Four of the event’s six rides offer distance options of 25-50 miles for experienced cyclists looking to stay active or challenge themselves, and the Six Mile Creek Classic allows mountain bikers of all ages and skill levels to take to the woods at Six Mile Creek Park.
“This is the earliest we have opened registration for Lake Erie Cyclefest, but we feel it’s the perfect time to connect people thinking about health and wellness goals with a terrific event that also benefits local nonprofits,” said Erie Sports Commission Executive Director Mark Jeanneret. “More people registered for last year’s event than ever before, and it’s easy to see why. With six rides across vast landscapes, flat lakefront, woods and rolling hills, there are options for cyclists of any age or ability.”
Participating nonprofit organizations include Asbury Woods, Because You Care, Bike Erie, Erie Downtown Partnership, Northern Allegheny Mountain Bike Association and Presque Isle Partnership. The Erie Sports Commission began managing the Lake Erie Cyclefest brand, executing event marketing and promotions and overseeing coordination of the hosted rides in 2021, ensuring the event continues to run annually as it has since 2017.
Registration is now open at www.lakeeriecyclefest.org.
Six rides will make up the all-cycling weekend:
Lake Erie Cyclefest Downtown Slow Roll – Thursday, July 27, 6 p.m.
Registration: Free (pre-registration is required)
The Erie Downtown Partnership, in collaboration with Bike Erie, will kick off Lake Erie Cyclefest with their annual Downtown Slow Roll on Thursday, July 27! The family-friendly bike ride will feature a 10-mile easy ride, beginning and ending in Perry Square.
Grape Escape Ride – Friday, July 28, 8 a.m.
Registration: $35 Early Bird through June 30
The Grape Escape Ride, hosted by Because You Care, starts and ends on the shores of Lake Erie at Shades Beach Park in Harborcreek. Choose from 25 or 50 picturesque miles winding through grape country. Fresh lake breezes and the invigorating smell of grapes awaits you on this ride. Post-ride, toast your morning’s successful ride with samples of wine from Lake Erie Wine Country and great food.
Tour de West County – Saturday, July 29, 8 a.m.
Registration: $35 Early Bird through June 30
Tour de West County is one of the region's oldest recreational bike rides, offering an outstanding tradition of spectacular routes and after-ride fun. Routes will include ride distance options of 12, 25 and 50 miles on rolling hills, past farmlands and through meadows. The routes begin and end at the Asbury Woods Nature Center, and will feature a post-ride picnic for registered cyclists.
Six Mile Creek Classic – Saturday, July 29, 2 p.m.
Registration: $40 until July 26
The Six Mile Creek Classic offers mountain bikers the opportunity to race on the Trails at Six Mile at Six Mile Creek Park in Harborcreek Township. Expect woods and hills in the six-mile loop! Riders will complete between two and three laps depending on their class: beginner, youth, sport, clydesdale, expert and single speed will be offered. Helmets are mandatory to participate regardless of age or ability level.
Presque Isle Sunrise Ride – Sunday, July 30, 6:15 a.m.
Registration: $25 Early Bird through June 30
Cyclists will have the opportunity to become one with the sun at Erie's most popular tourist destination, Presque Isle State Park, during the Presque Isle Sunrise Ride. The ride will be hosted at the end of Discover Presque Isle, a multi-day celebration that aims to draw attention to the Park’s numerous recreational opportunities and diverse natural ecosystems. The flat, 13-mile loop features water views on both sides, and is one of the most spectacular routes in the region. The ride will start at the Beach 1 Pavilion, and all registered cyclists will be given a ticket to the Discover PI Pancake Breakfast at the Rotary Pavilion.
See Spot Ride, Ride for Animal Rescue – Sunday, July 30, 9 a.m.
Registration: $35 Early Bird through June 30
See Spot Ride, the fourth annual Because You Care Ride for Animal Rescue, will take place on the lovely back roads of McKean Township in southern Erie County. Only 6 miles from the Millcreek Mall, the picturesque countryside offers beautiful routes with varying terrain, including options for a 40-, 25- and 10-mile ride. The 40-mile ride will begin at 9 a.m., while the 25-mile ride will start at 9:30 a.m. and the 10-mile ride will depart at 9:45 a.m. Routes will begin at McKean Elementary School and finish at the Because You Care Adoption Center with a casual "Pawty" including food trucks, beer and music. Spot and kitty friend, Liza, will be ready to greet you and introduce you to their adorable, adoptable friends!
All ride proceeds will benefit the hosting nonprofit organizations.
