By Jessica Schultz
Summer is ending and it’s time to gear up for the Fall season. That means pumpkin spice, crisp apples, falling leaves and cycling a great distance for charity. You can still register today for the October 1, 2022 EA2EVL Fondo, a 42-mile road ride that starts at 10am in East Aurora, NY at 42 North Brewing Company and travels down south to the lovely Holiday Valley Resort in Ellicottville, NY. This is a non-competitive scenic ride to raise funds for the Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail (ECRT) that runs from Orchard Park, NY to Ashford, NY. The Villager had a great chance to speak with ECRT Communications Chair, Beth Lasky about this year’s Fondo and anything new that’s been added in.
The Villager (V): EA2EVL Fondo is a great event, could you give us a little background on how it started?
Beth (B): “In 2021, John Cimperman, founder of 42 North Brewery, decided to put together a non-competitive fall bike ride from East Aurora to Ellicottville, culminating with a finish line party at Holiday Valley. John wanted this event to benefit a local charity and as the Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail (ECRT) runs parallel to the event course on Route 240, with the goal of providing safe walking, biking and hiking options to trail users, ECRT was the perfect partner. Working together and with our sponsors, West Herr, National Fuel, 42 North and Tom’s Pro Bikes, the 2021 EA2EVL Fondo was held on October 2 as a fundraiser for ECRT. It was a stellar “sold out” event, with 301 riders raising over $50k to support the rail trail.”
V: Is there anything different about 2022’s event?
B: “The 2022 EA2EVL Fondo will feature the same scenic course. It starts at 42 North Brewery in East Aurora and travels down Mill Road to Route 240 where it heads south to Route 242 on into Ellicottville. The finish line party at Holiday Valley will once again offer great food, drinks and live music. Because of the success of the 2021 event, we’re expanding the number of riders; approximately 300-400 this year. This controlled increase allows our Tech Support team from Tom’s Pro Bikes and our Event Director, Doug Bush, to provide a safe and enjoyable event for our riders.”
V: Is the event open to all levels of cyclists or is it for advanced cyclists only?
B: “EA2EVL is a ‘fondo’ or non-competitive bike event, so it is open to cyclists of all skill levels. It is not a timed event—it’s social and fun. The course is scenic, especially in the fall, with some challenging climbs as you head south into ski country. Riders can stop to rest, refuel and recharge at three water stops along the way.”
V: What is the cost to participate and where can tickets be purchased?
B: “Sign up today at www.EA2EVLfondo.com. Registration is $79 until September 14 when the price goes to $99. All participants are also asked to raise a minimum of $100 in donations for ECRT, which earns you an event t-shirt plus food and drink tickets to the post-event party. In addition, for raising $500 or more, riders earn an event jersey, with a special “yellow jersey” going to the top fundraiser.”
V: Why is supporting the Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail so important?
B: “ECRT, Inc. is a non-profit organization named as trail manager for the 27-mile ECRT trail being built on a former Buffalo Pittsburgh Railroad rail line that runs from Orchard Park to Ashford, NY. Our non-profit board, ECRT, Inc. is working hard on its mission to improve the quality of life for our community by preserving this historic 27-mile former rail corridor and transforming it into a multi-use recreation trail. In Orchard Park a 2-mile section of unimproved trail is cleared and open. With the help of the community, ECRT, Inc. has raised nearly $70,000 to resurface and finish this section that runs from Ellicott Road to Jewett Holmwood Road. We need this event to help us reach our $120k goal. All funds raised from the fondo will go to the completion of this open section, to connect the community and allow for the quiet enjoyment of nature. Additionally, a 1.7-mile Pop Warner section in Springville opened, along with another 3.5 miles of unimproved trail in East Concord.”
V: Anything else you would like to add?
B: “Just a transportation reminder that this is a point-to-point ride. As an option, cyclists can sign up on the ride website for transportation to bring them back to East Aurora, along with their bikes. Riders can also get special rates for lodging at Holiday Valley as well. The event ends at a finish line party at Holiday Valley, open to the public, featuring food, drinks, live music, and raffles. Looking forward to seeing both our participants and members of our community there to support them.”
Thank you, Beth, for taking the time to speak with us about the event and for sharing all the great information you have about the upcoming EA2EVL Fondo. More information can be found by visiting the website at www.ecattrail.org.
Continuation Caption: The 2022 EA2EVL Fondo will feature the same scenic course. It starts at 42 North Brewery in East Aurora and travels down Mill Road to Route 240 where it heads south to Route 242 on into Ellicottville.