On July 12, 2018, a group of local corporate presidents will put the pedal to their mettle in the Battle of the Presidents Trike Race during West Chester’s popular Swingin’ Summer Thursday at 6:30 PM on Walnut Street between Gay and Chestnut Streets.

This exhibition race will provide the public a fun introduction to the ever-popular Tolsdorf Trike Challenge, a series of relay races on oversized tricycles that requires skill, stamina, and teamwork.

It has become one of the most anticipated events in the Benchmark Twilight Cycling Classic, which will be returning to West Chester on August 11.

Invited CEOs include:

• Mark Yoder, President of Greater West Chester Chamber of Commerce
• David LaSala, President and CEO of Benchmark Federal Credit Union
• Chris Tolsdorf, President of Tolsdorf Oil Lube Express
• Kevin Finn, President of Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant
• Kimberly Brumbaugh, CEO of Brumbaugh Wealth Management
• Eric Fort, President of West Chester Dental Arts
• Steven Kelly, President of Kelly’s Sports

Since its inception in 2014, the Tolsdorf Trike Challenge has become legendary for its mix of good-natured trash talk and take-no-prisoners competitiveness among local businesses, groups and organizations that face off against each other.

Each team must consist of five riders with at least one person of the opposite sex. “For this year, the field will be limited to 16 teams,” said Mark Yoder, President of the Greater West Chester Chamber of Commerce, organizer of the Benchmark Twilight Cycling Classic of which the trike race is a part. “There are just a few slots still available, so businesses that think they are up to the task should sign up as soon as possible.”

After the presidents get their turn behind the handle bars, the public is also invited to try their skills on these oversized trikes. “It’s an opportuning to see if they have what it takes to trike and hopefully be inspired to form their own team and compete where it really counts – in the Tolsdorf Trike Challenge at this year’s Benchmark Twilight Cycling Classic,” commented Yoder.

This will be the second of three Swingin’ Summer Thursdays scheduled for this year. Visitors will enjoy live music, tasty local eats and the handiwork of artisans lining the streets of historic West Chester. Clowns, magicians, jugglers and other street entertainment will add to the festive nature of the event that runs until 9:00 P.M.

For complete details on the Benchmark Twilight Cycling Classic, including the Tolsdorf Trike Challenge, click here.