16th Annual Cycling the Erie Canal Bike Tour
(Oneida, NY – July 2014) More than 500 cyclists will be coming through Chittenango, Canastota, Wampsville, and Oneida on Thursday, July 17 as part of the 16thAnnual Cycling the Erie Canal Bike Tour. This is an opportunity to roll out the welcome mat and showcase our local businesses and area attractions.
The Cycling Canal Bike Tour is an annual 8-day, 400-mile, bike tour across New York State (from Buffalo to Albany) along the scenic and historic Erie Canal. Hosted by Parks & Trails NY, this ride attracts people of all ages and from all over the country to ride.
For more info on the ride, visit: http://www.ptny.org/canaltour/
This event is not a race. The folks on this ride go at their own pace and are encouraged and interested in getting off the trail as much as possible to explore and site see.
Thursday, July 17 is the fifth day of the ride, and the riders will be starting from a campsite in Syracuse, going through Madison County, before stopping again for the night in Rome. That means most of the riders will be going through Madison County at lunch time, hungry for lunch and looking for unique places to get off their bike to visit and shop.
Here are ways that Parks & Trails NY suggests local businesses and communities can get involved: Set up signs along the route announcing what you have to offer, provide maps and brochures to riders, offer discounts in the local shops and at area attractions, offer to mail purchases that may be difficult to carry by bike, or simply let the riders you see know they are welcome.
Patti Meakin, City of Oneida Recreation Department, will be setting up a welcome table along the canal way trail near the intersection of Oneida’s Main Street near Jacks or Better. She will be directing riders into downtown Oneida. Riders should be arriving in the Oneida area around 11 a.m. just in time for lunch. Local businesses are encouraged to put out signs welcoming the cyclists to the city.
Photos provided by Parks & Trails NY