Join us for 3rd Annual EA2EVL Fondo September 30
42-mile charity ride supports ECRT Trail
Join us on September 30 for the EA2EVL Fondo, a 42-mile epic road ride from East Aurora to Ellicottville on Saturday, September 30. The 42-mile route will venture down Route 240 through the fall foliage and rolling hills of Western New York and end with a celebration at the beautiful Holiday Valley. The best part: 100% of the proceeds benefit ECRT!
PROGRESS!
This event has SOLD OUT for two years and raised over $100,000 to support he ECRT trail. With these funds, we have removed the rails and ties, and improved the first 1.5 miles of the trail starting at the Orchard Park Village Depot. On June 17th, this section will open to the public, connecting to the 2 miles of natural surface trail open at Jewett Holmwood Road. EA2EVL 2023 funds will be used to expand and improve the trail south into the town of Aurora and West Falls.
Three ways YOU can help!
RIDE ON: If you are a biker, register today! In addition to the registration fee, we’re asking all riders to fundraise for ECRT. A minimum of $100 in donations will earn you an event shirt and tickets for food and drinks at the finish line party. If you raise $500 or more, you also get an event jersey. The top fundraiser gets to wear the coveted yellow jersey. So sign up, raise some money for ECRT, and enjoy a great fall ride! REGISTER HERE
VOLUNTEER:
We will need volunteers for the start line at 42 North in East Aurora, three water stops (Colden, Concord and West Valley), course pointers and traffic control on the route, and at the finish line party at Holiday Valley. Volunteers sign up HERE. We’ll be in touch with more specific instructions for your role.
DONATE: If you can't join us, you can still help by supporting one of the riders on our registration site HERE.
SPREAD THE WORD! Invite others to join in the fun.
Post this link to your social media: www.ea2evlfondo.com
We hope to see you on September 30th!
Volunteer Spotlight: Howy Holmes
Howy Holmes is a lifelong resident of Orchard Park. His home, built in 1861, was originally located along Quaker Field Stables and was owned by Harry Yates, who, among other accomplishments, was a principal with Buffalo & Pittsburgh RR and instrumental in the design and construction of the OP Depot. Howy’s parents bought about an acre or so of property from Yates and moved the historic house to its current location at Bridal Path and Freeman Rd. Howy and wife Dorothy later purchased the home from his mother in 1982 where they raised their family and continue to live today. “I went from sleeping in the kid’s bedroom to the master bedroom – about 30 feet down the hall,” he quipped.
Howy attended OP HS and went on to receive a bachelor’s degree in finance from Miami, Florida. There he met his wife Dorothy, in the last few days of his college career and her master’s program. He then joined the Navy reserves and served from 1966 – 1968. He and Dorothy married in 1972. Together, they raised 2 children, now grown: a daughter Chandra who lives near St. Louis, and son Tyler, who lives nearby in Amherst.
Spring Is Here
Steve Williams, a wonderful and enthusiastic ECRT volunteer, managed to get several volunteers out on the trail near the OP Depot.
Many workers make for lighter work and these worker bees spread several yards of mulch and made the area ready for Train Day on Saturday. We are so lucky to have so many volunteers. Fran Hogenkamp even used his tractor to help spread the mulch. Enjoy some photos from the day!
Become A Trail Expert
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What sections are open today?
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What types of activities does the trail accommodate?
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Who owns the trail? Has it been abandoned?
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What does railbanking mean?
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Who has jurisdiction over the trail?
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What is the best way to build the trail?
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Who is responsible if someone is injured on the trail? Are adjacent landowners responsible?
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Has there been recent progress on trail design?
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What next for the trail in 2023?
Become a Member:
Love the outdoors? Consider joining us. Your support helps our ongoing efforts to preserve the former rail corridor with the intent to develop it into a multi-use recreational trail. It also demonstrates community support to our local and state officials. All members will receive our newsletter as well as exclusive invitations to ECRT events. When you register, you'll also have the opportunity to indicate if you would like to further assist us by volunteering.
Learn More About ECRT:
Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail Inc. is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization and trail manager for the railbanked portion of the Buffalo-Pittsburgh Railway in Western NY. Over twenty-seven miles long, this railroad right-of-way connects the communities of Orchard Park, Aurora, West Falls, Colden, East Concord, Springville and West Valley, New York.
