Three years ago, Kim Manion started a cycling group in Plattsburgh called Women on Wheels. One of the first goals the group made was to be able to participate in the Mayor's Cup bike ride hosted by Champlain Valley Physician's Hospital.
We started in the fall. We spun through spinning, spin class, we spun through the winter. When the spring rolled around, we got outside, and then the idea was that ultimately, we would do this ride," said Kim Manion.
Now it's their annual tradition. This Sunday, they joined nearly 100 cyclists for the ride.
"This year was great. The first year was kind of tough. They had a couple big miles, big hills on the first year, and we were ok to see that shaved off, but it still would have been nice to have that challenge, but we were ok to not,” said Tracy Downey of Beekmantown.
This was the 40th annual Mayor's Cup Festival. The 4 day event includes a regatta that attracts sailors from across the region to Lake Champlain. Other activities include a fireworks show, concerts, and art projects. The bike ride takes place on the final day of the festival and offers cyclists a 30 or 60 mile course through Clinton County. Manion's group split up so riders could choose the course that was best for them.
"It takes you into Peru, and Harkness, and Ausable, and he makes sure that we're on low traffic roads, beautiful scenery. We were up at Mother Cabrini shrine which is a stunning view,” said Manion.
And the ride isn't timed, so there's no rush to the finish. The day ends with a barbeque. All the proceeds go to helping hospital patients.
"Raises money for a fund we hold here on the Foundation. It's called the travel fund, and it assists local families when they need to travel for care not provided at our hospital,” said Michelle Senecal, Director of Events & Special Projects.
Riding through the North Country with a sense of purpose and community.
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