July 17, 2022
EAST EDITION
Westside News Established 1953
Serving Suburban News North and South edition areas
Serving the communities of Spencerport-Ogden, Churchville-Riga, North Chili, Hilton-Parma
July 17, 2022
Issue No. 29
westsidenewsny.com
Cyclists pass through Brockport on 400-mile cross-state trip Photos by Karen Fien After holding the tour at reduced capacity in 2021 due to the pandemic, the annual eight-day, cross-state Cycle the Erie Canal bike tour returned at full capacity this year, departing from Buffalo on July 10 and scheduled to arrive in Albany eight days later on July 17. In total, 750 cyclists from 40 states are crossing New York as part of the 24th Cycle the Erie Canal tour organized by the statewide nonprofit Parks & Trails New York. On day two of the tour, riders passed through this area on their way from Medina to Fairport. They had the chance, for the first time ever, to travel through a designated Empire State Trail Town – the Village of Brockport. In early 2022, the “Victorian Village on the Erie Canal” was selected by Parks & Trails New York (PTNY) and the New York State Canal Corporation (NYSCC) as the pilot community for the new Empire State Trail Town program, based on its long-standing connection to the canal and commitment to the trail. Brockport boasts a comprehensive Welcome Center Elizabeth Farmer from Blue right along the canal that Ridge Summit, Pennsylvania, is staffed by friendly voluncommented that is was “nice to teers. The Brockport Welride into Brockport and feel like come Center offers anything a visiting cyclist might seek, a celebrity.”
A group of cyclists visited Java Junction for refreshments.
A group of musicians came out to entertain the visiting cyclists, some of whom began singing along.
from cold water and an accessible restroom with showers, to free Wi-Fi and local area maps. Once selected as the pilot community, the Village of Brockport, along with PTNY and NYSCC, established a diverse Trail Town Steering Committee, consisting of Brockport representatives from businesses and organizations, including Walk! Bike! Brockport! “Our community has already begun to benefit from our collaboration, as we have made new and stronger connections with partners across the state and locally,” said Susan Smith, Director of the Brockport Welcome Center. “As we progress through this year, our committee is working towards creating a detailed action plan that will promote Brockport as a premier Erica Schneider (center) from Albany works for Parks & Trails New York. She was accompanied destination for cyclists and creon the tour with her parents, Jeremy Schneider and Meredith Soule, both of Falls Church, ate long-term economic, health, and quality of life benefits for the Virginia. They admired the beauty of upstate New York and said the event was well organized entire community and surround- and so much fun. “We enjoy learning the history of the areas that we are traveling through.” ing area.” The visiting cyclists were delighted by Brockport’s country during the 2021 Cycle the Erie Canal event, the historic lift bridges over the canal that brought them to idea was discussed of also providing a map for the cyclists the bustling Main Street, packed with local bike-friendly to pin their hometowns. Melanie Perreault, a member of Walk! Bike! Brockport!, made it happen. “The cyclists businesses. “We are proud to be an official bike friendly business really enjoyed pinning their hometown,” Smith said. continued on page 10 and we look forward to welcoming them to our café,” said Jo Matela, owner of Red Bird Café and Gift Shop. “Although they did not have time to stop they got a glimpse Bill Wright of our Victorian Village and we hope that someday they takes a pin from will be able to come back and stay a while!” Melanie Perreault Other highlights for cyclists included the Lift Bridge of Walk! Bike! Book Shop, with an entire section of the store dedicated Brockport! so to the Erie Canal, and the Village’s rich history, showhe can mark his cased in a series of interpretive signs throughout the hometown, Mccommunity. Minnville, Oregon, To spread the word about all Brockport has to offer, the on the provided Village, in partnership with Walk! Bike! Brockport!, has U.S. map. provided postcards and postage to the visiting cyclists for many years. After seeing visitors from all across the
Cyclists were offered postcards so they could share the news of their trip and visit to Brockport.
Jay Dykstra stuck a pin in the map to indicate his hometown, Manchester, Indiana.