Liberty Cycle Hits Goal of 2K Donated Bikes

The bikes are serviced and then delivered to families in Newark.

It is official! Since 1994, the inception of Liberty Cycle's bike collection program, the owners of the shop in downtown Basking Ridge have reached their goal of collecting 2,000 bikes this year. "Thank you to all the generous people in our area, who now have cleaner garages!" said Liberty Cycle's co-owner Greg Cordasco. The owners set the goal for this holiday season, during which the shop collected 75 bikes this year to hit a total of 2,006 bikes donated since the program started in 1994. After receiving the donations, the bike shop serviced and performed any needed repairs on the bicycles before delivering them to World Impact, which will distribute the bikes to families in Newark, he said. "What a wonderful holiday season!" Donated …

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Liberty Cycle Bike Collection Continues

Bike shop in downtown Basking Ridge collecting bicycles for school in Newark.

Got a perfectly good bicycle sitting in your garage, or one the kids have outgrown? Don't dump them — instead, Liberty Cycle's annual bike collection at the shop in downtown Basking Ridge will service donate “gently used” bikes to families in Newark through World Impact. The independently owned bicycle shop has a goal this year of reaching 2,000 bikes donated through the program since 1994. The shop owners, Greg and Ingrid Cordasco, ask that donors bring the bikes to the shop during business hours from Monday through Saturday. "We’ll take it from there," according to the website, which also lists business hours. The donation period continues through Dec. 10. Along with good-quality used bikes, the shop is taking Liberty Cycle trade-ins to …

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Cyclists Head from Basking Ridge to D.C. for ALS

Four-day fundraising trip headed out of town last Thursday.

As they rode from downtown Basking Ridge to the White House in Washington, D.C., a group of cyclists raising funds and awareness to combat ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease) caught the attention of drivers as they passed by the riders wearing bike gear tht advertised their mission. Some of those drivers made donations through the Facebook page for BIKE 4 ALS, said township resident and avid cyclist John Carpenter, who said he was one of eight to make the entire trip to and from the nation's capitol. The group with members from the Liberty Cycle bike team joined up with BIKE 4 ALS founder Brian Ennesser of Cranford, his brother George Ennesser to make the four-day ride, including two days down and two days back, Carpenter said. Carpenter said that …

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Olde Mill Inn Bike Racers Shine Despite Overcast Skies

Annual end-of-summer race in downtown Basking Ridge drew hundreds of participants on bikes, as well as many spectators.

The 21st annual Olde Mill Inn bike races in Basking Ridge came off like a charm for about 250 children and teens who took part in the kids races, and 310 adults, mostly elite amateurs with a sprinkling of professionals, who raced in several other categories. Despite some cloudy skies and a few drops of rains, the event, a traditional end-of-summer gathering for cyclists and local families, was a success as usual, said Greg Cordasco, co-owner of Liberty Cycle in Basking Ridge. The Olde Mill Inn again was the main sponsor of the event, while Liberty Cycle and the Bernards Township Department of Parks and Recreation were presenters. Some Basking Ridge residents or cyclists for Team Liberty Cycle were among those who placed in top spots, …

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UPDATED: Liberty Cycle Brings International Bike Race to Town [VIDEO]

New Zealand cyclist wins pro cycling event that drew professional cyclists worldwide, and spectators from far and near.

For the sixth year in a row, Liberty Cycle of Basking Ridge brought the BaseCamp International Bike Race to downtown Basking Ridge for a pro-cycling event that each year has drawn professional cyclists from around the globe, and spectators from throughout the area. The race, listed on the National Criterium Calendar, was won by Clinton Avery of New Zealand, with the Champion Systems Pro Cycling Team, said Ingrid Cordasco, co-owner of Liberty Cycle. Avery finished the 44 laps around a 1.1 mile course through the streets of Basking Ridge center in 1:28:55, according to information from Liberty Cycle on Thursday night. Second-place winner was James Stemper of Wisconsin, riding for Kenda/5hr Energy p/b Geargrinder; and third-place winner was …

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Base Camp International Bike Race Thursday in Basking Ridge

Sixth annual criterium race expected draw cyclists from around the globe, and local fans, on May 31.

For the sixth year in a row, Liberty Cycle is bringing the Base Camp International bike race to downtown Basking Ridge for another twilight pro cycling event that each year has drawn professional cyclists from around the globe, and spectators from throughout the area.  The race, listed on the National Criterium Calendar, already had attracted more than 100 professional cyclists worldwide, including last year’s winner, "sprint sensation" Robert Förster of Germany, said Greg Cordasco, Liberty Cycle co-owner. Races are scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. sharp next Thursday, May 31, he said. Cordasco said spectators can look forward to the "heart-pounding competition of the so-called 'Crit' style of bike racing, as riders power through a one-mile …

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Hundreds Participate in Olde Mill Inn Tour [VIDEO]

Kids, amateurs and professionals participate in the traditional Labor Day bike race in Basking Ridge.

Hundreds of people—including professionals from all over the world and young people from toddlers to teens—participated in the Olde Mill Inn Tour of Basking Ridge, the traditional Labor Day close of summer held in Basking Ridge center. The annual bike races, which required a closed circuit in the downtown to be blocked to traffic, were jointly presented by Bernards Township and Liberty Cycle, Inc., and sponsored by the Olde Mille Inn of Basking Ridge. With 20 years of history under its belt, the event has become a Labor Day tradition for many.  "They love it — they have fun," said Barbara Vitolo of Basking Ridge, whose children participated in the kids races late in the morning. Her twins, Kate and Madison, 6, and her 8-year-old son each …

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Photos Added: Downtown Basking Ridge Scene of International Bike Race

Top three winners from Germany, Australia and Estonia as professional cyclists from around the world join annual bike race.

About a mile-long loop of streets in downtown Basking Ridge became part of the international bike racing circuit on Thursday evening, as about 117 professional cyclists from around the world sped 44 times around the closed course before a winner from Germany crossed the finish line. On an evening when the heat finally had broken, a relatively sparse crowd gathered to cheer on the athletes, some of whom had just participated in the better-known Tour de France bike race. Nevertheless, the Base Camp International Bike Race was the fifth annual international cycling competition to be held in Basking Ridge, said Greg Cordasco, co-owner of Liberty Cycle at 107 S. Maple Ave. The event was presented by Liberty Cycle and this year sponsored by Base…

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