Cycling Concepts Gears Up For Rocky Hill Criterium, August 10

The Rocky Hill Parks and Recreation Dept., the Rocky Hill Police Cadet Program and Rocky Hill business Cycling Concepts are all together in planning the Rocky Hill Criterium for Aug. 20.

Rocky Hill Bike Festival will take place August 10 at Rocky Hill High School, 50 Chapin Avenue. The proceeds from the entries fees will go to the Rocky Hill Police Cadet Program. 

"Lisa (Zerio) brought this bike race to my attention and I met with her and the people from Cycling Concepts," Town Manager Barbara Gilbert said.

"I have met with the Police Chief and was excited about the possibility of this bike race because increasing bicycle traffic in town is in the Parks Dept. master plan," Parks and Recreation Director Lisa Zerio said. "When we go out for grants and things and talk about improving our trails system, having this bike race will bolster that. We are looking to make this a festival with vendors and food and other things."

Cycling Concepts has been in Rocky Hill for 20 years and is not new to helping raise money with bike races.

"The idea for this came out of our race that helped the dog park," said one of Rocky Hill's Cycling Concepts' employees Karen Franzen. "We helped them and we thought there must be another group that we can help and when we approached the Police Cadets they were very excited."

The Police Cadet Program is flourishing but has very limited funding. The program is open to youths aged 14 to 21 and many go on to law enforcement careers. One of the Cadets will enroll in the military this summer. 

Franzen said in the time before the race, she will reach out to local businesses to see if they can sponsor the race. If that happens, all of the money from the entry fees will go to the Police Cadet Program.