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Ride Oswego County (ROC), a community cycling group that organizes group rides across Oswego County’s rural roads, will host three events that showcase the area’s scenic terrain over the next several weeks.
The 27th annual Tour De Loop takes place Saturday, Aug. 19, starting at 9 a.m. at Rudy’s Lakeside Restaurant, 78 county Rte. 89 in the town of Oswego. The event usually draws 150 to 200 riders and offers a choice of a 30- or 50-mile route. The Tour De Loop is a USA Cycling-sanctioned competitive road race and is open to riders age 13 and older.
The event was organized by the Oswego YMCA for several years. When the local Y was no longer able to organize it, Ride Oswego County took it over with the goal of making it a safe and competitive event for all participants. The course begins at Rudy’s, with staggered starting times, proceeds west to State Route 104A in western Cayuga County and ends back at Rudy’s.
On-line registration ends at 5 p.m. Friday, Aug. 18. In-person registration is at 8 a.m. Saturday morning at Rudy’s. Details and registration information are posted at https://www.bikereg.com/tdl
New this year is the “Tour Da County,” a non-competitive 100-, 50- or 25-mile social ride on Saturday, Sept. 2, followed by a chicken barbecue at the Granby Center Volunteer Fire Department. The race begins and ends at the fire station at 1400 county Rte. 8, Fulton. Proceeds will benefit the fire department.
“We love Oswego County and riding in and around it, so much so that we decided this year to invite our friends over to ‘play bicycles’ with us and hang out after for a chicken BBQ,” said ROC organizer Bryan Blake. “Depending on what challenge you’re up for, we're offering three different routes.”
The “Buck” is a 100-mile route with 3,330 feet of climbing and starts at 7 a.m. The “Half Dollar” of 50 miles, with 1,500 feet of climbing, starts at 9:30 a.m. The “Quarter” is a 25-mile route with 800 feet of climbing, and begins at 11 a.m. Depending on the length, the cycling routes cross portions of western, central and southern Oswego County. Registration details and maps are posted at https://www.bikereg.com/tour-da-county.
Ride Oswego County will host its third annual Cross Out Child Abuse competitive cyclocross race Sunday, Oct. 1 at the Scriba Town Park, 803 O’Connor Road, Scriba. The timed race offers several categories including fat tire bikes and a free kids’ race for children age nine and under.
“Cyclocross races are a great way for spectators to watch a race, as racers complete multiple laps on a course for a specific amount of time,” said Blake.
Proceeds benefit the Oswego County Child Advocacy Center in Fulton. A video of last year’s event is posted at https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=youtu.be&v=SHzpeVlmEns&app=desktop. Details and registration information may be found at https://www.bikereg.com/coca.
Ride Oswego County organizes group rides of varying distances, speeds and rider ability. For more information on the group, visit http://www.rideoswegocounty.bike/
For Oswego County visitor information and more outdoor recreation, go to www.visitoswegocounty.com.
