 Jan Dickerson and YMCA staff members Jan Schacht and Mike Lennen,
who all volunteered for the day, spent about an hour getting an
estimated 62 bicyclists registered for the event.
Riders were offered a variety of route choices, depending on the
miles they wanted to travel. The shortest route ran from the YMCA on
Wyatt Avenue to Kickapoo Creek Park, then back to the Y, for a total
of 6.6 miles. There was also a nine- to 12-mile ride and a 28- or
31-mile ride.
The longer rides took the participants through the country north
to Lawndale, then back to the Y for 28 miles, or they could add a
jaunt to Kickapoo Creek Park before returning to the Y for a ride
total of 31 miles. Four riders chose the 28-mile ride and nine did
the 31-mile ride.
Dickerson explained that last year the ride was free, but this
year they decided to charge a small entry fee of $5 per person or
$15 for the entire family.
The group also had bike ride T-shirts available for sale and
offered water and energy bars free to all the riders.
Before they embarked on their journey from the YMCA, Dickerson
apprised the group of riders that in spite of the beautiful weather
on Sunday, heavy rains throughout the prior week had made some of
their chosen route impassable. She said that the routes had been
revised within the last 24 hours to avoid high water.
Lennen said that they were prepared for emergencies. Bike
mechanic Chris Elam was on hand and could go out and work on
something if it broke. Plus, the YMCA van would be on call to go
pick up riders if they decided they needed to end their ride early.
One of the most unique bikes at the ride belonged to Kirk Jones.
He rides a Catrike trike. The Catrike is in inverted trike with two
wheels on the front and one larger wheel in the back. It is ridden
in a reclining position, with the handlebars being on the inside of
each of the front wheels.
Jones said that he's had the bike for about five years and that
it is very easy and comfortable to ride. In addition, he says that
it does pack the speed. He's been clocked at 34 mph.
[to top of second column]
 |
Jones is an avid rider, but he said that right now he is recovering
from knee surgery, so he was only planning on making the nine-mile
ride. He said that riding is excellent therapy for his knee, and the
Sunday afternoon ride will be just a warm-up for other rides he's
planning later this summer.
As riders registered, they were entered for a few door prizes: a
Schwinn bike donated by Wal-Mart and two bags of cyclist accessories
donated by BikeTek in Springfield.
When the names were drawn, the winner of the new bike was Kirk
Jones. He said that he doesn't intend to give up his Catrike, but he
thinks the new bike will be a nice gift to his wife.
The winners of the cyclist accessories were Brad Diefendorf and
Larry Barnes.
Sponsors for the bike ride were the Lincoln Area YMCA, Bassi
Construction, Fitness Balance, Wal-Mart, BikeTek and Puritan
Springs.
This family event was sponsored by the Bike Trails Council of
Logan County, a committee originated at the chamber of commerce. The
mission of the group is to promote biking in the community and
continue to promote the creation of designated bike trails in Logan
County.
[By NILA SMITH]
(See picture page.)
 |
