Bike Ride Fun for Charity May 16th in Margaretville

DELHI, NY (05/05/2009)(readMedia)-- On May 16th - rain or shine - a hundred or so intrepid individuals, parents with kids, and teenagers will help the Catskill Area Hospice by riding any where from 14 to 104 miles through the beautiful river valleys of the western Catskills. The first annual Catskills Scenic Ride 'N Peak Benefit Bike Ride kicks off in Margaretville at 8am. Riders will set off in various directions including the Dry Brook Valley into Hardenburgh, the Pepacton Reservoir loop, and the valleys of the east and west branches of the Delaware River including the towns of Roxbury, Stamford, Hobart, Bovina, Andes, Meredith and Delhi.

There is a $25 registration fee ($30 for day of event registrations) that includes a commemorative t-shirt, and water at rest stops along ride route. Children from 10 - 14 ride free with a registered adult rider and are restricted to the 14 and 25 mile routes. Children under ten can be a tandem passenger with a registered adult rider. All riders must wear ANSI or SNELL approved helmets. For more information on the event, to preview maps of ride routes, or to register, visit centralcatskills.org/bike, or email bikerideinfo@markproject.org and get further information you may need.

If you're not a peddler but still want to enjoy the day the events organizers will arranged for kids activities and arts and crafts to be going on at the Pavillion in the community field in the village of Margaretville. Blue Maneuvers will be playing from 2 to 5pm as the cyclists return, and Mary's Cookin' Again will be serving up chicken BBQ with side dishes to recharge everyone's energy.

"This is an excellent example of several key regional stakeholders coming together for a good cause, and it demonstrates more of the area's tourism potential," notes Catskill Center Regional Planner Peter Manning. Peter, an avid cyclist, has mapped all the bike ride routes. "Many don't realize that the Central Catskills is a cyclist's paradise. This event aims to change that. From long rides through mountain passes to a spin around the reservoir or a family ride along gentle country roads, there's something here for everyone." Bob Escher, Special Events Coordinator, Catskill Area Hospice and Palliative Care, praised the coordinated planning efforts: "On behalf of our hospice patients and families, we would like to express our gratitude to everyone associated with this fun and uplifting event that will surely be a day to look forward to for many years to come. It is because of the generosity of great communities like this that we are able to continue our mission of serving those wanting and needing hospice services."

The Catskill Center is coordinating this inaugural Catskill Scenic Ride-n-Peak along with the MARK Project, the KAATS Foundation, the Central Catskills Chamber of Commerce, Plattekill Mountain, and Delaware County Tourism. The ride is supported by a grant from the A. Lindsay and Olive B. O'Connor Foundation, and the number of regional sponsors is growing.

Great Western Catskills Tourism

The Great Western Catskills is an easy day trip from New York City metro area, Albany, or Binghamton and a great weekend getaway or vacation destination for all. To learn more about outdoor resources, Stay-and-Play Packages or any other activities in the western Catskills, log on to: www.greatwesterncatskills.com. For free travel literature, call toll-free: (866) 775-4425 or e-mail: info@greatwesterncatskills.com. For timely events in the area visit delawarecountytoday.com.