Oct. 12 RecO+very Ride Demonstrates Cycling’s Impact on Community Wellness

KINGSTON–The 2014 O+ FESTIVAL on Sunday, Oct. 12 adds four cycling events to the weekend-long celebration of art, music and wellness. The mural-to-mural RecO+very Ride and three longer rides take place in partnership with Recovery Ride founder Tour de Kingston as well as YMCA of Kingston & Ulster County, HealthAlliance Foundation, Kingston Greenline, Revolution Bicycles, Famous Bike Brothers, Overlook Mountain Bikes, Kingston Land Trust and Nace Promotions.

“These four different events put cycling front and center as a vital part of the wellness of this community we live in,” said cycling enthusiast Joe Concra, co-founder and executive director of O+ Festival.

The fitness and fun kicks off at 9:30 a.m. with 18- and 28-mile rail trail rides, and a 50-mile road ride. Meet at the parking lot facing Schwenk Drive and corner of Fair Street, where one of this year’s artists, Kevin Freligh, has created a fantastic mural.

At noon, the whole family is invited to get on their bikes, trikes or Big Wheels for a guided 4.5 mile Mural-to-Mural RecO+very Ride that begins at the parking lot and stops at murals throughout Uptown Kingston as well as the YMCA in Midtown. Many O+ artists will be on hand to give talks in front of their murals. At the YMCA, riders are encouraged to stop and visit the recovering artists exhibit in the YMCA lobby.

At 1 p.m., as an optional 6-mile extension of the mural-to-mural ride, the Kingston Land Trust will lead a tour of the future Kingston Greenline. The tour route, which follows the planned system of trails, bike lanes and complete streets, will stop at the Trolley Museum of New York, on the Rondout Creek, and in Midtown near the hub of Ulster County’s once-vital railroad system. Tour guides will be on hand to share recent progress updates on the design and construction of the Kingston Greenline.

A map of the planned Mural-to-Mural and Kingston Greenline tour routes is available here. Note that these rides are guided, with volunteers serving as leaders and sweepers for the duration of the ride. Routes are subject to change.

Helmets are mandatory for all four rides.

The celebration continues with a complimentary barbecue at Keegan Ales from 1-3 p.m.

Participating adults should obtain all-access O+ Festival wristbands for $35 and are encouraged to check out all of the concerts, parties and classes taking place Friday-Sunday evening.