Bicycle enthusiasts will have an opportunity to enjoy Columbus and surrounding areas through the Columbus Park Foundation’s Tour de Trails Bicycle Challenge.
The bicycling event features three distances for riders of various ability — 20K, 50K and 80K, each of which departs from the Donner Park Shelterhouse at 9 a.m. Saturday.
The 20K, a family-friendly ride, will stay within Columbus.
The 50K and 80K riders will continue together to Simmons Winery east of Columbus on County Road 450 North.
The 80K riders will have one additional stop at Old Union United Church of Christ in Edinburgh and ride through Hope before heading back to Donner Park, at 22nd Street and Lafayette Avenue, where all three routes end.
Additionally, local musicians will perform at stops along the trails, and an abundance of sponsors have led to a larger number of raffle prizes than in previous years.
Although the Columbus Park Foundation does not set fundraising goals for event ridership, the event has consistently reached sponsorship goals with the support of the community, said Stacy Findley, Columbus Parks Department project and resource development manager.
More than 23 miles of people’s trails currently exist in Columbus, but the organization is constantly looking to build more connections as a component of ongoing projects. Proceeds from the event will go toward maintaining existing trails and developing new ones, Findley said.
The park foundation primary goal is to bring a bicycle or pedestrian connection within three blocks of 90 percent of Columbus residents.
The trails are becoming increasingly important to the Columbus community — not only for enjoyment, but as a necessary means of transportatio, Findley said. This makes the upkeep and safety of the trails vital to families, she said.
“Our people trail system is obviously for leisure and recreation, but we are seeing it used more by people traveling to school and work,” Findley said.
The paths the cyclists will travel were selected with the help of The Bicycle Station owner Matt Battin to ensure the enjoyment of a variety of participants on the trails.
Battin said his objective was to make the trail as scenic and flat as possible to ensure that participants at all levels of ability could easily enjoy their surroundings.
“We tried to look for a bike-friendly route with a couple of nice stops on it for rest stops,” Battin said. “You can just ride at your own pace.”
The event normally attracts around 150 riders. Due to favorable weather, as many as 200 riders are expected to participate, Findley said.
The Saturday forecast calls for warm temperatures into the 80s but low humity and partly sunny skies, with only a slight chance of rain.
“Our registration continues to grow, and we’re just really excited for this year’s event,” Findley said.
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What: Tour de Trails Bicycle Challenge
Where: Donner Park Shelterhouse, 17th and Lafayette
When: 9 a.m. Saturday
How much: $35, with registration on-site.
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