About 360 riders from 39 states and Canada will pedal throughout Acadiana, including St. Landry Parish, 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. 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.

“The St. Landry Parish Tourist Commission is proud to again join the Lafayette Convention and Vistiors Commission in producing this unique event”, said Celeste Gomez, director for St. Landry Tourist Commission. “It is a great opportunity to showcase our parish and we look forward to seeing the friends we have made over the years and welcoming our first time visitors.”

The cyclists kick things off on Wednesday night with a party at Vermilionville, complete with a Cajun dinner, live Zydeco music and dance lessons.

On Thursday, they will 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.

On Friday, riders travel into St. Landry Parish taking Hwy. 31, with a stop in Arnaudville, then onto Hwy 741 to Port Barre. They will end the day in Washington with a Creole Extravaganza dinner and more music and dancing.

more

On Saturday, the route takes participants along Hwy. 103 to Grand Prairie and into Evangeline Parish where they will experience a local tradition –Fred’s Lounge in Mamou. They will then make their way to Eunice on Hwy. 13, where they will top off the day with the live Cajun music variety show at the Liberty Theater.

On Sunday, the final leg of the tour, riders will travel through Acadia Parish and back into St. Landry toward Sunset, ending at the Academy of Sacred Heart in Grand Coteau for a post-ride party and lunch.