LAKEPORT >> The Rotary Club of Lakeport is sponsoring the 27th annual Konocti Challenge cycling event on Oct. 7, with the start and finish lines at the Skylark Shores Resort in Lakeport.
The Konocti Challenge features different courses for different horses, which means riders of all skill levels will find the course that best suits them from among the four courses offered. The event, which is expected to bring in 750 riders, is among the premier bicycle competitions in California and attracts riders from throughout the world. Cycle CA! Magazine named the Konocti Challenge “The Best Metric Century of 2014” and honored the event with its “Excellence in Service” award in 2015.
The fun starts Oct. 6 at 4 p.m. at the Skylark Shores Resort with wine tasting. Riders can pick up their event packets until 7 p.m.
The Konocti Challenge begins on Oct. 7 from the water’s edge at Skylark Shores. Riders competing in either the 65-mile or 100-mile races are released between 7 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. Riders competing in the 20-mile and 40-mile races are released between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m.
All four courses weave through some of Lake County’s most beautiful and picturesque settings.
“The ride occurs at one the most beautiful times of the year in Lake County,” Konocti Challenge ride director Jennifer Strong said. “And the long-range weather forecast for this year’s ride looks to be excellent with temperatures in the high-70s to low-80s.
“This is an amazing event for our community and a great opportunity for us to show off our beautiful county and to encourage those riders from out of the area to visit us other times of year,” Strong added.
The 65-mile and 100-mile courses traverse the east side of the lake to Middletown and then up and over Cobb Mountain. The 20-mile and 40-mile routes run through Scotts Valley and Kelseyville. All rides finish at Lakeport’s Skylark Shores Resort where riders are greeted with an end-of-ride barbecue and refreshments.
One feature that separates the Konocti Challenge from other cycling events is the rest stop competition. Local non-profit organizations volunteer to man the rest stops and compete for cash prizes that are awarded based on popularity as judged by the event’s riders.
Konocti Challenge route maps, ride and registration information can be found at www.konoctichallenge.com. Anyone wishing to volunteer can do so by emailing ridedirector@konoctichallenge.com.
