Cycle Zydeco visits Mamou

Hundreds of cyclers from around the country and other countries visited Fred’s Lounge in Mamou on Saturday morning, April 26, during their four-day ride through Acadiana.
It’s a celebration of “our world renound food, music and natural beauty in addition to our Louisiana hospitality,” according to the Cycle Zydeco web site. The ride began in Lafayette Thursday, April 24. The ride “goes through the friendly communities of St. Martinville, Breaux Bridge, Henderson, Arnaudville, Opelousas, Mamou and Eunice before returning to Lafayette on Sunday, April 27,” according to the web site.
More than 260 riders took part in this year’s ride, including several people from Canada. Riders from Australia and England took part in last year’s ride. Organizers say they are conducting a marketing campaign and they hope to eventually attract 700 to 1,000 riders. One of those organizers, Scott Shilling, said cyclers have told him Cycle Zydeco is the best of the rides they participate in.
Cycle Zydeco is promoted and managed by TRAIL (Transportation Recreation Alternatives in Louisiana). It’s a “non-profit organization dedicated to building and maintaining parks, paths and trails for hiking, walking, running, kayaking, biking and canoeing,” according to the web site.
The riders began Saturday in Opelousas. They approached Mamou from the east, on Highway 104. Many of them left that highway, turning south on Beacon Road, then west onto Ball Park Road, arriving in Mamou about 10:30 a.m. They stayed in Mamou several hours before riding to Eunice. Mamou was the only location in Evangeline Parish that Cycle Zydeco visited this year.