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Originally Posted Online: June 21, 2009, 7:45 pm Last Updated: June 21, 2009, 7:59 pm Cyclists, families descend on trails for annual Ride the RiverComment on this story
"It's good for your health, and it's something we can do as a family," said Dale Richter, New Boston. Mr. Richter and his family have been riding for the event for about the last five years, they said. "It's fun to get out and ride our bikes," his son, Kyle, said. "Even though he had to get out of bed, we do it to make Dad happy," his wife, Niki, joked, speaking for Kyle. "It's going to be a fun day," she said. Courses were set to run about 25 to 60 miles beginning at the Freight House in downtown Davenport. Riders were also free to turn around, make stops or cut over the bridge via Arsenal Island or by riding the Celebration Belle Riverboat while their bikes got a ride on a barge. For the group's 25th anniversary, cake was offered to participants, Arsenal Island trails were open specifically for the event and riders could participate in the "25 mile challenge," or biking one mile for each year of "Ride the River" to receive a prize. Down at the Freight House, this year's new headquarters, children played on the metal playground equipment, some folks sat and listened to the band playing while others got their gear ready to take off. The overcast skies and intermittent rain didn't stop these folks from having fun. "It's fun hanging out with Dad," said Austin Brasel from Port Byron. "It's fun to ride the river for Father's Day," his brother, Tanner, said. In the family's third year participating, Tanner likes everyone coming out to ride the river together on the same day. "It's kinda cool," he said. Their father, Eric, has been riding for years, he said. "I did RAGBRI from their second to eighth year," he said. "This (Ride the River) is a little easier for my level of fitness," he said, and laughed. Mr. Brasel and his wife, Tammy, both enjoy the fact that the ride showcases the Quad-Cities' bike trails, they said. "The stops showcase each town, too," Ms. Brasel said. "It's just a fun, family activity with an emphasis on family," she said. Families stopped to hang out under trees and rest while others pounded water. Some applied sunscreen, some pumped up and checked their tires and some stopped to stretch. Don and Cathy O'Brien, of Des Moines, had been riding all morning. "We've been riding all weekend, (too), and I didn't know anything was going on down here," Mr. O'Brien said, as he chained his new trike to his wife's. "They're trikes, not bikes!" he said of their new recumbent trikes. Mr. and Mrs. O'Brien like riding because it gives them a chance to be outside and spend time together, they said. Mr. O'Brien has been riding for years while Mrs. O'Brien took it up just a couple of years ago. "There are some beautiful trails," Mr. O'Brien said. "And we just happened to be here," he said. Parents and children of all ages scattered along the river, on the Centennial Bridge heading back to Davenport, and in the orange-coned areas of downtown Davenport. Parents rode bikes with children's seats, pulled children behind in nylon, neon-colored carts and rode with children on tandem bicycles. "It's just good, clean exercise," said David Ginsburg from Davenport. "We moved here from Des Moines 11 years ago, and we've been riding this even ever since," he said. Over the 11 years the Ginsburgs have been riding, Mr. Ginsburg said the paths have changed and developed a lot. "And this is not even half of the amount of time the event itself has been running," he said. "It's nice and quiet (on the paths), and the wildlife does not seem to be bothered much (by the people)," his wife, Sharon, said. "It's nice to get out and see the community." |
