Jennifer Strong admits that assembling the Konocti Challenge every year is a daunting task. Behind the colorful uniforms of the riders and the road-tested bicycles they steer around Lake County”s roads are mounds of permits, months planning for rest stops, food and water, and a year contacting riders, hotels and volunteers.
“There are a lot of moving parts,” said the ride director and Rotary Club member. “It goes on and on and on.”
Yet by the time close to 800 cyclists taking part in the event dismount for the evening, they have seen the best of the county, and spent a generous amount of money at local businesses.
“I can”t begin to put a number on it,” Strong said of the financial boost to the county.
She can, however, put numbers to the whereabouts of many riders and their families when not on the road. More than half are returning participants in the event, which offers 20, 40, 65 and 100 miles routes through the area. The most challenging courses over Cobb Mountain before swinging around Clear Lake. Just over 40 percent hear of the ride from friends—and ever growing network that now draws participants from nine states.
An overwhelming majority of riders travel from outside of Lake County. Six out of ten stay in local hotels.
“We are all sold out,” confirmed Audrey Gonzalez, general manager at Skylark Shores Resort in Lakeport. “We”ve been sold out for a year.”
The popular hotel attracts so many veteran riders that most reserve rooms for the next challenge while checking out.
“It”s a huge event,” she added. “It keeps us busy.”
The Konocti Challege began in 1990, under direction of the Lake County Chamber of Commerce and local cycling clubs. The Rotary Club took it over in 2001. An event that started with 200 riders attracted 765 a year ago. The annual Oktoberfest in Lakeport coordinates with the challenge, to build an even bigger crowd.
And it worked. Strong”s survey of riders suggests that 58 percent join the downtown festivities. Almost 70 percent eat at local restaurants and others go shopping, visit the quilt show, take part in the Sponsoring Survivorship walk, stop by local wineries and more.
“These events—Konocti Challenge, Oktoberfest, the Pear Festival—they always fill rooms,” said Tony Barthel, owner of Featherbed Railroad Bed & Breakfast Resort. “We send them out to restaurants and wineries. These events generate a lot of money for the area.”
In Strong”s survey results, it”s easy to find positives. Respondents remark well on the routes, the support, the food and more. There are no obvious negatives, though road conditions hardly fare well in the comments.
Yet 72 percent plan to return.
“It”s a logistical adventure” to put on the event, Strong said. But there are many benefits.
So, she added, “Watch for cyclists. Share the road. There will be a lot of cyclists on the road.”
Dave Faries can be reached at 900-2016
