Bloomin' Metric Bicycle Tour Rolls Into Westport

Westport officials said the Bloomin' Metric bicycle tour will move through town on Sunday, May 17, with riders expected on local roads from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. The annual event begins and ends at Sherwood Island State Park, according to the event website and a town traffic advisory. Sound Cyclists Bicycle Club organizes the ride, which it describes as a non-competitive tour rather than a race. Westport police urged motorists to use caution because of the volume of cyclists expected on the road. ### When are riders expected on Westport roads? Westport's May 14 advisory said the Bloomin' Metric will be in town on Sunday, May 17, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. The notice said residents and motorists should expect a significant number of cyclists traveling throughout town and should use caution while driving. Sunday, May 17, is the event date listed on outside cycling calendars tied to the ride, including a Charles River Wheelers posting that gave the same date and said registration is required. (westportct.gov) That listing said day-of pricing runs through May 17. ### Where does the ride start and finish? Sherwood Island State Park in Westport is the start and finish point, according to the Bloomin' Metric website. (westportct.gov) The event page says riders return to the park for lunch, music and post-ride activities overlooking Long Island Sound. Patch reported in 2024 that the ride also began and ended at Sherwood Island State Park, matching the current event description. (crw.org) The town advisory does not list a separate staging site. ### How big is the event, and who runs it? Sound Cyclists Bicycle Club says the Bloomin' Metric is its premier ride and the largest bicycle tour in Connecticut, attracting almost 1,500 cyclists each year. (bloominmetric.com) The club says it supports cycling and cycling-related charitable activities in Fairfield County and across Connecticut. Alex Moncure is listed by Sound Cyclists as Bloomin' Metric director on the club's contact page. (patch.com) The same page lists club officers and committee leads for 2026. ### What routes are riders choosing from? The Bloomin' Metric website says the event offers four supported routes: 15 miles, 25 miles, 47 miles and 62 miles. The site says the courses are intended for riders ranging from novice to advanced and follow roads near Long Island Sound and inland Connecticut roads. (soundcyclists.com) Patch's 2024 report listed the same four route lengths and described the ride as open to cyclists of different experience levels. (soundcyclists.com) Sound Cyclists' main site separately says the club's signature event offers rides from roughly 15 to 60 miles. ### What should drivers and residents expect in town? Westport police said the main traffic issue is not a full-town shutdown but a heavy presence of cyclists across local roads during the six-hour window. (bloominmetric.com) The advisory told drivers to plan for slower travel and to use extra caution while moving through Westport. The town's police press-release archive shows Bloomin' Metric advisories have been issued in prior years as well, including notices in May 2024 and May 2025. (patch.com) That pattern suggests the town treats the ride as a recurring traffic-management event tied to the annual tour, though the archive entry itself does not detail specific closures for 2026. (westportct.gov) ### How can riders still sign up or get details? The event website says registration is open and describes the ride as rain or shine. A Charles River Wheelers event listing says the price is $95 from May 1 through May 17, while riders under 18 pay $40 when accompanied by an adult and a waiver. Sound Cyclists says detailed information for the tour is posted on the Bloomin' Metric website, and the club's 2026 events page lists the ride among confirmed club events. (westportct.gov) Westport's advisory remains posted on the town website ahead of Sunday, May 17. (soundcyclists.com) (bloominmetric.com)