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Details were released recently on the routes of the Central Connection Slow Roll Bicycle Rides planned for Aug. 31 and Sept. 18.
Unlike the inaugural ride in June, the routes visit the SUNY Fredonia campus. On Aug. 31, riders will meet up on Church Street at 6 p.m. then move to Temple Street to one of the campus entrances there. The pack will travel Ring Road and exit the campus at its main entrance on Central Avenue. Cyclists will then ride on that street until the trip ends on the Dunkirk Pier.
The Sept. 18 ride is to start at 10 a.m. on the SUNY Fredonia campus, where cyclists will again traverse Ring Road and then take a left onto Central Avenue. This time, instead of ending on the pier, they are to head down Route 5 to Point Gratiot, where a stop is planned. From there, an optional return ride to SUNY Fredonia will head down Route 5, turn onto Brigham Road, and then use Sixth Street and Central Avenue in Dunkirk to head back to the campus.
The Dunkirk and Fredonia police departments have again been asked to escort the riders with a lead car and a rear car.
All of this information was in a letter sent by Lucas Natali, an organizer of the rides and owner of Fredonia Cycling, to city of Dunkirk officials July 10. The Dunkirk Common Council subsequently approved passing on the request to Police Chief David Ortolano so he can work out details and address any concerns.
The Fredonia Board of Trustees has not taken up the request for more rides yet. Fredonia Mayor Doug Essek has been a vocal advocate of the Central Connection rides as a way to foster connections between Dunkirk, Fredonia and SUNY Fredonia. He serves on the organizing committee, along with SUNY Fredonia President Stephen Kolison, Dunkirk Mayor Wilfred Rosas and Natali.