GREENFIELD — A bicycle ride that attracts hundreds to Hancock County with a festival will return this weekend.
The Hancock Flat 50 will be held 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 28, starting and ending in downtown Greenfield with 25- and 50-mile routes throughout the countryside.
It’ll be a welcome return for bicycling enthusiasts who had to skip a year in 2020 due to the pandemic.
Laura Baker, coordinator of the event, said she’s always excited to see people get active, but she’s even more eager to show off the beautiful countryside and local businesses Hancock County has to offer.
“You’re riding 25 or 50 miles in our beautiful county through the fields, the sunshine, the wind in your face,” Baker said. “People meet up from different states; you tend to level up with whoever’s at your pace. It’s a great time to connect.”
The event is sponsored by Hancock Health and its outreach arm, Healthy365. The inaugural ride was held in 2016 and had 150 participants. Numbers have nearly tripled since then, with over 420 cyclists participating in 2019.
Baker said they were on pace to continue to grow in 2020 and had even opened up registration, but the event was canceled due to COVID-19. She said it’ll be good to see cycling enthusiasts from far and wide return this year. So far, 10 states are represented, plus a rider from Poland.
The chip-timed event is for both experienced riders or those who prefer a more leisurely route. Participants may choose the 50-mile ride or the 25-mile route, and the cost to participate in either is $50. Deadline to register is 11:59 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 25.
Amy Borgmann, a participant and member of the steering team, said it was hard seeing the event canceled last year. While cyclists can get out despite social distancing constraints, having an event with a festival promotes camaraderie in the sport. It’s also a good starting point for families, or those curious about trying it out.
“If you’re not somebody who cycles regularly you might be a little intimidated to do a 25- or 50 mile ride on the street, but if you’re with a lot of other people to do it, and you also have stops with food and drinks … and police officers that help with busy road crossings, it makes it less intimidating,” Borgmann said.
Dean Dixon, a group ride leader and steering team member for the event, said he’s excited it’s coming back and the event is growing annually. He also asks the community to be patient, for motorists to be aware of signs and police traffic controls at various intersections.
“It’s important for people to know not just this Saturday but every day, (cyclists) could be out there whenever,” Dixon said, adding that both motorists and cyclists need to share the road. “It goes both ways, on both sides. We all need to watch out for each other.”
The routes for the 25- and 50-mile courses may be found on the event’s website, www.hancockflat50.com
Those who simply want to participate in the festivities afterward — live music, vendors and food along North Street’s Living Alley — must also have a ticket. Called “The Easy Ride,” the $30 spectator ticket allows for entry into the event to keep watch of crowds in an era of social distancing.
Baker said the event was expanded along North Street to include more space for people to spread out. Masks are available on site but not required; hand sanitizer stations will be at the event.
Food and drink stations will open at 11 a.m., and live music with Stella Luna and the Satellites begins at noon. The event will include booths by Hancock Wellness Center, Family Bike Chain and the Pennsy Trail, as well as a beer tent, Greeks Pizzeria, Cajun Boiler and BBQ’n Fools. The event website, hancockflat50.com, features details about places to visit in Hancock County and discounts to local businesses and eateries.
“We wanted to be about local, and people getting a taste of what Hancock County is about,” Baker said.
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Hancock Flat 50
When: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 28
Where: starting and ending in downtown Greenfield, with 25- and 50-mile routes throughout Hancock County.
How to sign up: Deadline to register to participate is 11:59 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 25. Cost is $50. Those who want to be a spectator must also buy a $30 ticket by 11:59 p.m. Wednesday. For questions, call 317-468-4231. Register at www.hancockflat50.com, where you can also view maps of the two routes.
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