EA2EVL Charity Bike Ride Returns October 4: Ride from East Aurora to Ellicottville
The fifth annual EA2EVL Fondo invites cyclists to ride 42 miles for a cause, raising funds to expand and improve the Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail.
EAST AURORA - The Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail (ECRT) is hosting a 42-mile charity bike ride from East Aurora to Ellicottville on Saturday, October 4, 2025. The EA2EVL Fondo - or non-competitive bike ride - kicks off at 10:00am at 42 North in East Aurora and follows Route 240 to 242 into Ellicottville, ending with a finish line party at Holiday Valley featuring food, drinks and live music by the Kody & Herren Band. Organizers encourage riders to sign up soon, and registration is open at www.ea2evlfondo.com.
The Fondo raises funds to continue to build, open and maintain the 27-mile multiuse ECRT Trail. EA2EVL Fondo events over the past four years have raised $192,000 in donations, which were used to clear and open the first 1.5 miles of the rail trail that runs along a former rail line from Orchard Park to Ashford. The funds raised from this year’s event will help to make further improvements to the southbound trail.
“Following four sold-out events, we’re inviting riders to join us for our fifth annual ride this October,” announced Mary Brummer, ECRT Board President. “Thanks to our supporters, the first 1.5 miles of the ECRT trail in Orchard Park are complete, and a further 1.2-mile section resurfaced in Aurora will be opening soon - it’s our model for success. With the funds raised from EA2EVL 2025, we will continue to improve the trail surface working south.”
ECRT extends a very special thank you to the event sponsors, who make hosting this event possible: National Fuel, Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield, The Small Firm, 42 North Brewing, and Holiday Valley Resort. John V. Ellmore P.C. and Excelsior Orthopedics are the event's sign sponsors. Tom's Pro Bikes generously provides tech support to riders on the course. Learn more about ECRT at www.ecattrail.org.
About Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail, Inc.: Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that serves as trail manager for a 27-mile recreational trail on the Buffalo Pittsburgh Railroad rail line. In 2018, ECRT, Inc. and BPRR signed a long-term rail banking agreement to allow for trail use and improvements. In 2023, the first 1.5 miles of the trail were resurfaced and opened to the public in Orchard Park, starting at the historic Village Depot, connecting to the 2-mile natural surface section that is open between Jewett Holmwood and Ellicott Roads. Another 8 miles of natural surface trail is open in Concord, including the 1.7 mile Pop Warner section in Springville. ECRT, Inc. has over 6,500 friends and community supporters. Find more information at https://www.ecattrail.org/.