600 cyclists make trek through Orleans County along towpath

Photos by Tom Rivers

HOLLEY – These cyclists cross the lift bridge in Holley this morning as part of a 62-mile ride today from Medina to Fairport.

The Cycle the Erie Canal journey started Sunday in Buffalo and the cyclists made it to Medina, where they camped in tents. The entire ride will be about 400 miles ending in Albany on July 20.

This cyclist get her picture taken on the Holley boardwalk with a banner noting it’s the Erie Canal’s bicentennial this year.

Tom Henker of Goshen watches the lift bridge in Holley go up when a boater passed through. This is Henker’s fourth time cycling the Erie Canal and the first time seeing a lift bridge in action.

“I’ve never seen it go up or down,” he said. “It’s cool.”

These two cyclists approach Hulberton on the ride this morning.

These cyclists ride along the towpath as the get close to the lift bridge in Holley.

The cyclists had lots of beverages and snacks in Holley near the gazebo. Holley is an official rest stop for the cyclists.

John and Wendy Kenney greet Orly the Ox, the county’s bicentennial mascot, at Holley’s official rest stop where the 600 cyclists can get water, Gatorade, coffee, pastries and fruit.

Mr. Kenney, the former mayor of Holley, has volunteered at the stop for 27 years. His wife has helped out the past 20 years.

“You get to meet people from all over the country and world,” she said.

Mr. Kenney said he touts the assets in the Holley community and encourages the cyclists to come back.

The Albion Merchants Association also had water and fruit snacks ready for the cyclists this morning. Albion is an unofficial stop providing refreshments for the cyclists.

Mark Olsen gets his picture taken with Santa in Albion. Santa was there to promote Albion’s role as home of a Santa School from 1937 to 1966.

Olsen recently moved from Portland, Oregon to Millerton in Dutchess County. He said the bike ride adventure was off to a good start the first two days.

“The trails are well marked and the food is fantastic,” he said.

These three siblings grew up in Medina near the canal. They are riding the towpath together for the 8-day ride along the canal. From left include Bronwyn Green, Billy Balcerzak and Brandi Zavitz. Green has done the ride twice before while this is the first time for her brother and sister.

Wise Intermediate School in Medina hosted the cyclists last night and a tent city was created on the school grounds. The cyclists headed east this morning through the rest of Orleans County with the end point today in Fairport.

A cyclists crosses the lift bridge in Holley to go to the rest area.

These cyclists were happy to take a break in Holley on today’s ride.

The cyclists are out in the country on the towpath after passing the Densmore Road bridge in Albion with the Transit Road bridge in the distance.