What started as a simple idea between two friends during the uncertainty of 2020 has transformed into a unique and inspiring cycling experience that represents Ohio, proudly.
The LKSD120 will celebrate its seventh year on Friday, July 10, 2026. This 120-plus-mile ride from Delaware, Ohio, to the shores of Lakeside Chautauqua has steadily grown from fewer than 40 riders to an anticipated 120 cyclists in 2026. The event has built a reputation for camaraderie, philanthropy and a deep appreciation for the communities that make up the route.
Created by Sean Gill, a Port Clinton High School graduate and “Lakesider” of 25 years, alongside close friend Brian T. White, the LKSD120 emerged during the height of the COVID-19 shutdown, when organized cycling events across the country had been canceled.
“With so many rides shut down in 2020, we wanted to create something challenging, meaningful and memorable,” Gill said.
The duo chose Ohio Wesleyan University in Delaware as the starting point because two of Lakeside’s founders — Rev. Richard Duval and Samuel R. Gill — both of whom attended the university in the mid-1800s. The ride’s finish at the iconic Lakeside Pavilion symbolically connects the region’s rich history with a modern-day celebration of wellness and community.
From the very beginning, interest in the ride exceeded expectations. Without advertising or promotion, nearly 40 riders signed up in 2020. The event returned with similar participation in 2021 before rapidly expanding in the years that followed. Today, LKSD120 attracts cyclists from across Ohio and beyond, all eager to experience the scenic route through small towns, farmland and waterfront communities before arriving in the North Shores communities of Lakeside and Marblehead.
Riders depart Delaware at 7 a.m. and spend the day navigating six distinct sections of the course, with organized rest stops along the way. One of the ride’s most memorable moments comes near the finish, when participants stop 
at the historic Marblehead Lighthouse before the final few miles into Lakeside. From there, Gill and White traditionally invite a special rider to lead the group to the finish line. This honor is often reserved for someone who overcame adversity or made a meaningful impact on the cycling community.
The event’s structure is intentionally unique. Every rider wears the official event jersey, agrees to ride as a group and maintains an average pace of approximately 16.5 mph. Nearly 70 miles of the route are escorted by the Ohio Highway Patrol and local sheriff departments, including the highly coordinated crossing of the Thomas Edison Bridge over Sandusky Bay — one of the logistical challenges that has kept participation capped.
Beyond the physical challenge, LKSD120 also serves a charitable mission.
Since 2021, the ride has partnered with Cleveland Angels, an organization supporting foster families throughout Northeast Ohio. Rider donations and merchandise sales have generated nearly $10,000 for foster communities.
The event’s three primary goals have remained unchanged:
- Introducing new visitors to the Lakeside and Marblehead communities
- Provide funds to Cleveland Angels
- Promote wellness and physical activity
And while organizers have discussed the possibility of expanding to hundreds of riders in the future, Gill and White remain committed to preserving the event’s close-knit atmosphere and carefully coordinated experience.
What began as a pandemic-era conversation between friends has become a celebrated tradition — one that continues to showcase the spirit, scenery and sense of community.
For more information about the ride, visit the LKSD120 public Facebook group and the LKSD120 website.
