Competitive cycling toward a good cause

New Haven (WTNH) - Another fundraiser is helping cancer survivors this weekend. A two-day cycling competition at East Rock Park is raising money and awareness thanks to dozens of college students doing their part to help.

Get your pedals going, Eastern Conference Cycling hits the Elm City with 50 colleges getting in on the action.

"The fact that we draw 50 schools from all over the Northeast, to come compete at home, I think that's one of the greatest things cycling has to offer," said Jonathan Wu, captain of Yale's Men Cycling. "It's not really like a one-on-one kind of thing, you have 50 teams at once competing in a race that just makes it really exciting."

The two day Lux Et Velocitas registered about 300 riders sponsored by Yale. The school is one of only nine chosen to hold a weekend of qualifier races.

"There's so many different aspects from bike polo to Yale Cycling Team to everybody that commutes on a bicycle in New Haven," said Matthew Feiner, owner of Devil's Scare Bicycle Shop.

And, the event is not just about the healthy competition. It also raises money for the Connecticut Challenge; cycling for cancer survivors.

"The Elm City is a hub of cyclists," said Christine Levy of Yale's Women's Cycling. "I think it's less noticeable than a lot of other sports but it's really great culture and a great supportive community here."

Tomorrow the "Round the College Criterium" starts at 8:00 a.m., also from East Rock Park.