Erie Cycle Fest Features Four Days of Biking

Thursday, Aug. 10

The Lake Erie Cycle Fest is pedaling into the city for the weekend with four days of cycling fun.

It kicks off Thursday with an Opening Night Fun Ride, presented by the Erie Arts and Culture and Bike Erie. The slow-ride tour leaves from U Pick 6 Tap House and ends at Perry Square Park, where the Erie Downtown Partnership will be holding one of its six summertime block parties.

On Friday, riders can choose between a 25- or 50-mile route in the YMCA's Jelly Jar Ride. Both non-competitive rides feature the county's scenery — vineyards, farms and the Lake Erie shore. Later, the 1979 film Breaking Away will be shown at the Lake Erie Arboretum at Frontier Park for free. This coming-of-age comedy tells the story of a boy with big bicycling dreams.

The festival continues Saturday with EmergyCare's Tour de West County. Riders can choose between 12-, 25-, 50- or 100-mile routes. All begin and end at the YMCA's Camp Sherwin, where outdoor recreational activities will be held after the cyclists return.

An "alley cat" bike race, or a scavenger hunt, will end the festivities on Sunday. Participants will ride through downtown neighborhoods, searching for nine items. It's been dubbed the "WQLN Fat Tire" race because the winner will receive a year's supply of New Belgian Brewing's Fat Tire beer.

This final ride takes place after a free concert by the Erie Philharmonic Woodwind Quintet at the LEAF amphitheater.

For the complete schedule of events and turn-by-turn routes, visit eriecyclefest.org. Times below reflect when the earliest ride will depart and times of other festival events. — Tracy Geibel

6 p.m. Thursday, 8 a.m. and 8:30 p.m. Friday, 7:30 a.m. Saturday, noon and 2 Sunday // locations vary // Free Thursday, $40 Friday and Saturday, $15 Sunday