Wabash County Dam to Dam ride returns in September
By Mackenzi Klemann | Wabash Plain Dealer
Cyclists from around the country – and even outside the continent – will trek to Wabash County the weekend of Sept. 9 for the annual Dam to Dam Century Ride, a 104-mile ride crossing the Mississinewa and Salamonie dams through this county.
More than 400 riders have already registered, which is about 30 percent higher than this time last year, according to Christine Flohr, executive director of tourism for the Wabash County Convention and Visitor’s Bureau.
The ride is a popular attraction for cyclists each year, bringing nearly 700 riders to Wabash County in 2017 alone.
A cyclist from Brazil is the event’s first-ever international rider. Others are coming from as far away as Washington, South Carolina, Texas and Missouri, Flohr said.
Riders may choose from one of six routes extending for 104, 80, 62, 50, 30 or 15 miles. New this year is the 80-mile ride, stretching from Wabash to Lagro, Lincolnville, Somerset, Richvalley and Roann. The only stop not included is North Manchester, featured only in the 104-mile trip. Flohr said new the route was added because the gap between the 62-mile Metric Century Ride and the 104-mile Century Ride seemed too large.
Dam to Dam is named after the Mississinewa and Salamonie dams through which cyclists will travel. But Flohr says the event also showcases the natural beauty of the county’s smaller communities.
“You get to not only see the city of Wabash and the town of North Manchester, but you get to see some of the cultural authenticity of those smaller towns,” she said. “We’re able to show off the county as a whole and share the history and heritage stories.”
Riders won’t get to see LaFontaine this year due to a bridge outage there, but Flohr says that part of the route will be added to the ride next year.
The ride is being held the same weekend as the Eel River Arts Festival in North Manchester and Roann Covered Bridge Festival. Other events are planned that weekend specifically for Dam to Dam riders, the majority of whom are traveling from outside the county.
Registration runs through the day of the event, Sunday, Sept. 9. Click here to register.
