To the editor:

This weekend, more than 300 cyclists from 35 different states and provinces will travel to the region for the Wildlife Conservation Society Cycle Adirondacks 2016 bicycle tour. For many, it will be their first taste of the Adirondacks, and we’re honored they’ve chosen WCS as their guides.

WCS established the Adirondack Program, based in Saranac Lake, in 1994 in an effort to build a community-based conservation program that would consider both the needs of the people and the wildlife of the region.

Cycle Adirondacks, which is now in its second year, showcases one of North America’s most spectacular landscapes as well as the communities and people that make this place so special.

Our 2016 tour begins Sunday, Aug. 20 in Hadley-Lake Luzerne and will traverse over 400 miles in seven days and travel through 45 communities across six counties. Included are overnight stays in Ticonderoga, Keeseville, Saranac Lake, Indian Lake and Northville.

To make it all work, we have the support of 50 week-long volunteers and the direct engagement of dozens of civic organizations, churches and school groups from communities along the way. To show our appreciation of these groups, WCS pays out multiple cash grants in each community.

Each evening of the tour features free community entertainment. We know our guests will have a great time on their bikes, but it’s the conversations they have with community members that provide a true sense of place. It’s also what brings them back.

On Tuesday, Aug. 23, each of our cyclists will pedal through Bloomingdale and through downtown Saranac Lake to our camp at Petrova Elementary School. Feel free to wave and welcome them to our town.

Then join the festivities, starting that evening with the Community Ride at 6 p.m. from Berkeley Green, followed a 7 p.m. bicycle stunts demonstration by Sam Perkins at Riverside Park, and a mountain biking documentary film and fundraiser for Barkeater Trails Alliance at the Waterhole Upstairs Lounge at 8. Soma Beats African dance and Wuluba African drums will also be performing at Petrova Elementary School at 6:30 p.m. that evening.

On Wednesday, Aug. 24, riders are free to explore Saranac Lake or ride to the Lake Placid-Wilmington area. Local guides are providing special packages for our riders such as paddling, hiking, an arts walk and more. The evening of the 24th, we’re capping the Downtown Saranac Lake Music on the Green concert series with Grammy Award-winning Terrence Simien and the Zydeco Experience. The event will also feature New York craft beer from Good Nature Farm Brewery and Cajun cuisine from Nori’s Village Market. The public is welcome!

I’ve lived in Saranac Lake for 15 years, and I’m proud to show off this place to the hundreds of riders who will be visiting here in less than a week. I hope I see you out enjoying this event and meeting some of our riders and volunteers. With your support, we’ll continue to make Cycle Adirondacks a community event that our guests remember for a lifetime.

Zoe Smith

Wildlife Conservation Society

Cycle Adirondacks director

Saranac Lake