At the turn of the 20th century, peddling a bicycle by Syracuse’s E. C. Stearns Co. up Salt Springs Road in Chittenango would have taken a feat of Herculean strength.
Today, cyclists still have to prove their mettle, but advances in two-wheeled technology have made the climb much more manageable.
On July 7, more than 100 cyclists are expected to participate in the second annual Tour de Clear Path, a community ride featuring distance options of 50 miles and 25 miles. Both routes conclude with a challenging ascension of Salt Springs Road to Clear Path for Veterans’ facility, located approximately 910 feet above sea level.
The 50-mile route travels primarily east-west to the northside of Oneida and features approximately 1,200 feet of elevation gain; the 25-mile route is a figure eight that nears Canastota and features 929 feet of elevation gain. The 50-mile ride will begin at 8 a.m.; the 25-mile ride takes off at 8:30 a.m.
The Tour de Clear Path is one of Clear Path’s four major fundraisers each year, however there is no fundraising required of the participants; their registration is the donation to Clear Path.
General registration is $50 for all age levels regardless of the distance option chosen, but participants may register for $125 to receive an exclusive jersey. Your registration fee includes a delicious barbecue lunch prepared by Clear Path’s Culinary Program, a snack station at the halfway point, a goodie bag, a sag wagon, and emergency repair technicians. All online registration closes at 12:01 a.m. on July 5. Online registration can be found at www.BikeReg.com/Tour-de-Clear-Path.
Packets for those who register will be available for pick-up from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. July 5 at Syracuse Bicycle, 2540 Erie Blvd. East, Syracuse. In-person registration at Syracuse Bicycle on July 5 is $65; day-of registration at Clear Path on July 7 is $75.
The Tour de Clear Path is made possible thanks to generous event sponsorship by BonkWerx Endurance Sports of Syracuse, Bareburger of New York, Syracuse Bicycle and GU Energy.
About Clear Path: Clear Path for Veterans is Upstate New York’s Veteran Resource Center, serving as a hub of information, programs and resources. Located just 14 miles east of Syracuse, the Chittenango-based non-profit relies on partnerships and collaboration, allowing it to act as a single point of contact for active duty, Reserve, Guard, Veterans, and their families to connect them with what they need within 23 counties in New York.