Erie Sports Commission Announces Rhythm & Ride Weekend

The Erie Sports Commission is pleased to announce Lake Erie Cyclefest will again partner with Erie’s Blues & Jazz Festival for Rhythm and Ride Weekend. This is the third year for Lake Erie Cyclefest, which will kick off on Thursday Aug. 1 and feature six total cycling events through Sunday, Aug. 4.

All proceeds from Lake Erie Cyclefest benefit EmergyCare, WQLN and the YMCA of Greater Erie. Representatives from the organizations announced this year’s event details during a press event on Friday, May 10 at the Erie County Courthouse to kick off National Bike to Work Week, May 13-19.

“The growth and continued positive feedback we received in our second year exceeded our expectations,” said Tom New, WQLN CEO. “The addition of multi-day ride discount packages, and, most importantly, our partnership with Erie’s Blues and Jazz Festival were well-received from local and out-of-town groups. The partnership made Lake Erie Cyclefest a true destination event for cyclists from around the region, and the HUB within beautiful Frontier Park gave riders a festive gathering space. Both events encourage and emphasize green living and truly showcase the best of our region, and we’re eager to keep the momentum going in 2019.”

Updated for 2019 is the Lake Erie Cyclefest Gravel Grinder’s move to Saturday morning in west Erie County, and the WQLN Alley Cat ride, which will be hosted as a Poker Run for the first time. The six rides are as follows:

Good Morning Star Shine Ride– Thursday, Aug. 1 at 6 a.m. (Registration: Free)
The sunrise tour of Presque Isle State Park will be led by Jet 24’s “Good Morning Erie” host Traci Teudhope.

Bike Erie Slow Roll– Thursday, Aug. 1 at 6 p.m. (Registration: Free)
Lake Erie Cyclefest will officially kick off with a this 10-mile slow roll through the city of Erie and Erie’s Bayfront. The ride will begin and end in Perry square, concluding with an Erie Downtown Partnership Block Party.

YMCA Tour de Vineyard Ride – Friday, Aug. 2 at 8 a.m. (Registration: $40)
Riders choose between a 27- or 52-mile non-competitive ride through the Lake Erie wine region, as both rides conclude with a picnic with wood-fired pizza and beer sampling from Five & 20 Spirits at Shades Beach in Harborcreek. Proceeds from the ride will benefit the YMCA of Greater Erie’s Food + Fun bus, a free mobile meals site for kids in need.

EmergyCare’s Tour de West County– Saturday, Aug. 3 at 7:30 a.m. (Registration: $40)
Erie County’s premier bicycle tour will provide three scenic ride routes departing from Lake Erie Community Park. The event, with a long-standing tradition of spectacular routes and safety support, will offer a 12-, 25- or 50-mile loop of Erie County, ending with a picnic. All riders will receive tokens for beer sampling at The HUB.

Lake Erie Cyclefest Gravel Grinder– Saturday, Aug. 3 at 9 a.m. (Registration: $40)
Not suited for road bikes, this grinder begins at Lake Erie Community Park and follows a 25-mile route around Erie County before returning to the park for a picnic. All riders will receive tokens for beer sampling at The HUB.

WQLN’s Alley Cat Old Maid/Poker Run– Sunday, Aug. 4 at 2 p.m. (Registration: $15)
The final ride of the weekend will be won by the luckiest riders. Youth participants will play a hand of Old Maid and adults will gather a poker hand at pre-determined route stops.

“Visitors want to experience the amenities that make a region unique, and Lake Erie Cyclefest really delivers,” said Mark Jeanneret, executive director of the Erie Sports Commission. “WQLN, the YMCA of Greater Erie and EmergyCare have truly created an event that offers not only scenic rides for cyclists of all skill levels, but also a weekend-long experience that will give them something to look forward to every year.”

Erie’s Blues & Jazz Festival is one of the largest free, outdoor music festivals of its kind in the region, highlighting tremendous national, international, and regional talent all on one Mainstage. Each year, the Festival engages close to 20,000 residents and visitors and is reported by audiences to be a tradition for their families, friends, school reunions and company social events.

For more information, including ride times and registration information, visit www.eriecyclefest.org.

The Erie Sports Commission is committed to promoting the Erie region as a prime destination for sports and recreation. The major goals of the ESC are to attract, create, support, and host sporting and recreational events that have a positive economic impact on the region, and assist in maximizing the potential of all regional sports facilities and venues. The ESC strives to enhance the image of Erie by showcasing the community, promote wellness through healthy lifestyles, and improve the quality of life for community members of all ages.