BETHEL — The Hat City Cyclists’ 21st Annual CycleFest charity ride will be held on Sunday, June 9, and includes routes through Newtown.

“This event is a great way to meet new people who share a passion for cycling and being outdoors,” said Newtown resident and event-co-chair Monica Roberto. An avid rider for 15 years, she added, “The routes are beautiful. It’s a ton of fun.”

Hat City Cyclists invite participant to join them on this self-paced charity ride.

Riders have their choice of routes of that cover 13, 23, 53, 81 and 105 miles. Routes that hug Newtown are the 13-mile, 23-mile and 105-mile rides. These routes travel the western-most part of town bordering Bethel, with riders taking Route 302, Poverty Hollow Road and Hopewell Road as part of their course.

Rides will all kick off from Bethel Middle School, 600 Whittlesey Avenue, Sunday morning. Start times are staggered: 105 miles will begin at 7:30 am; 81 miles, 8 am; 53 miles, 8:30 am; 23 miles, 9 am; and 13 miles, 9:30 am.

Ms Roberto is expecting a successful ride. Last year, her first year co-chairing the event, saw a record turnout with more than 250 cyclists in attendance.

The routes are fully supported by rest stops where riders can relax and refuel. All routes are patrolled by support wagons and the event has free bike repairs at the rest stops courtesy of Bike Express of Danbury and the Bicycle Center.

Registration is $45 and includes day-of registration. Children under 16 can ride with registered adult for $10.

Proceeds will again support Danbury Youth Services’ Earn-A-Bike program, which focuses on helping at-risk children develop positive and healthy social skills as they work together to rebuild and fix bicycles.

To register or for more information, visit HatCityCyclists.org.

Area cycling clubs organize local rides regularly, many of which go through Newtown, according to Ms Roberto.

“Riding in Newtown is so beautiful and some of the hills are challenging and good for training,” she said.