Press Releases
The Cycle Zydeco Phenomenon - 03/20/2008
Contact: Kaylie LeBlanc, (337) 232-3737, kaylie@lafayettetravel.com
NOTE: The best photo op is the start of the ride, 9 a.m., Thursday, March 27 at Hotel Acadiana.
This is the only time that all 360 riders will be taking off at the same time.
The Cycle Zydeco Phenomenon
Lafayette, La. – A number of bicyclists, about 360 from 39 states, and Canada, will pedal throughout Acadiana March 27-30, for the seventh annual Cycle Zydeco, a cycling tour featuring the world-renowned food, music, natural beauty and hospitality of South Louisiana.
Cycle Zydeco, which started off with 200 riders in its first year, has grown in popularity. While it once took two months to get 325 participants to register, it now takes less than 24 hours for the maximum of riders to confirm participation.
“We really don’t have to advertise for this ride,” said Cycle Zydeco Tour Director Simone Day. “It’s spread by word of mouth through other bike rides throughout the nation. I think it will be the best year yet because each year we try to improve and make sure the riders enjoy their stay in Cajun country.”
In French Louisiana where the joie de vivre or “love of life” spirit is unparalleled in the United States, a traditional sports event like biking is cause for celebration with spicy Creole and Cajun food and toe-tapping music. This is what the Cycle Zydeco participants experience during this multi-day bike tour that starts in Lafayette and meanders through St. Martinville, Breaux Bridge, Arnaudville, Port Barre, Washington, Mamou, Eunice and Grand Coteau.
The riders range in age from 18 to 80 with the majority in their forties, fifties and sixties. They ride this 200-mile bike tour at a moderate or leisurely pace in order to absorb the Cajun and Creole cultures and food, enjoy the countryside’s picture postcard views, and have the energy to dance to lively Cajun and Zydeco music at the end of the day. “I think what the riders like most about Cycle Zydeco is the music, the food and the friendliness of the people – the Cajun hospitality,” said Day.
The cyclists kick things off the night before the ride with a kick off party at Vermilionville, complete with a Cajun dinner, live Zydeco music and dance lessons. The next morning, they embark on the first leg of the tour from Hotel Acadiana in Lafayette to St. Martinville, where they will eat lunch and soak up the charm of this quaint Cajun town known as the setting of Longfellow’s poem, “Evangeline.”
The cyclists then proceed to Breaux Bridge, the Crawfish Capital of the World, for an evening of food and music. The second day of the tour, riders travel through Arnaudville and Port Barre before ending the day in Washington with a Creole Extravaganza dinner and more music and dancing.
On Saturday, participants experience a local tradition –Fred’s Lounge in Mamou – and top off the day in Eunice with the live Cajun music variety show at the Liberty Theater. On the final leg of the tour, riders make their way to the Academy of Sacred Heart in Grand Coteau for a post-ride party and lunch.
For more information call the Lafayette Convention and Visitors Commission at (337) 232-3737, (800) 346-1958 or check out the web site at www.CycleZydeco.com. Allons manger, allons dancer, allons a Cycle Zydeco!
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Two-steppin' and touchdowns! Tailgate Cajun-style at the Ragin' Cajuns football game, then stay for the weekend and celebrate the cultures of South Louisiana at the Festivals Acadiens et Creoles!