East Aurora to Ellicottville
East Aurora to Ellicottville
42-mile charity road ride to end at HV, benefit the Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail
EAST AURORA - The Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail (ECRT) will host a 42-mile charity bike ride from East Aurora to Ellicottville on Saturday, October 2nd. The EA2EVL Fondo, presented by West Herr, will raise funds to continue to build the 27-mile rail trail that runs along the former Buffalo & Pittsburgh rail line from Orchard Park to Ashford, NY.
According to Deborah Fenn, Board President of ECRT, “We are thrilled to announce the first-ever EA2EVL Fondo. We encourage riders of every skill level to join in the fun, and help us continue to build this magnificent rail trail.”
The bike event will start in East Aurora at 42 North Brewery and travel south down scenic Route 240, riding on the road parallel to the ECRT trail from West Falls into Concord. With plenty of water stops along the way, the course will continue south to Route 242 through the fall foliage and rolling hills of Western New York, where it heads west into the town of Ellicottville. The event ends at a finish line party at Holiday Valley, open to the public, featuring food, drinks, live music, and raffles. Transportation will be offered to bring riders back to East Aurora, or riders can opt to take advantage of special rates for lodging at Holiday Valley.
Registration is open now at www.ea2evlfondo.com for an early bird discount rate of $59. All riders will receive a commemorative shirt and access to the post-event party. Participants are also asked to raise a minimum of $100 in donations for ECRT, with additional prizes for all $250, $500 donors, and a special “yellow jersey” for the top fundraiser.
In addition to presenting sponsor West Herr, National Fuel, Tom’s Pro Bikes, and 42 North Brewery are associate-level sponsors of this inaugural event. Tom’s Pro Bikes will also provide tech support to riders on the course. Learn more about ECRT at www.ecattrail.org.
About Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail Inc.: Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that serves as trail manager for a 27-mile recreational trail on the Buffalo Pittsburgh Railroad rail line. In 2018, ECRT, Inc. and BPRR signed a long-term rail banking agreement to allow for trail use and improvements. In Orchard Park a 2-mile section of the trail is cleared and open, but unfinished, from Ellicott Road to Jewett Holmwood Road. Additionally, a 1.7-mile Pop Warner section in Springville is open, along with another 3.5 miles of unimproved trail in East Concord. ECRT, Inc. has over 6,500 friends and community supporters. Find more information at www.ecattrail.org.