12, 28, 44, 62 and 100 Mile Rides
Date: CANCELED Saturday, August 1 CANCELED (Delay till -planned; August 7th 2021)
Time: Registration 6:30 a.m.
Ride – mass start at 7:00 a.m.
Fees: Early Registration (by July 24) $25
After July 24 – $30
Ages 15 and Under & Ages 80 and Over – Free
Contact: Contact us Form
Location: Winamac Train Depot
Downtown Winamac, Indiana on the corner of Franklin and Main Streets
The entire length of the Panhandle Pathway trail from Winamac to Kenneth is 44 miles roundtrip (down and back). Riders can choose shorter distances to Star City (12 miles down and back) or to Royal Center (28 miles down and back) or as far as the rider wants to bicycle. The 62- and 100-mile rides follow the Panhandle Pathway and include crossing the Tippecanoe River 6 times. Ride support ends at 5:00 p.m. (The 100 mile route plan is a 40 mile north route extension that includes riding through the Tippecanoe River State Park)
Registration includes a meal which will be provided from 12:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m. at the end of the ride. Tshirts are available for an additional $15 each.
Riders under 15 must be accompanied by an adult. There is no rain date and no refunds will be issued.
All participants will receive a map at registration. Sag stops will be located along the route.
Trail Talk: Issue 28
Trail Expansion to France Park
With the north end Phase 1 expansion in Winamac nearing completion, focus now turns to taking the Panhandle Pathway through to the entrance of France Park. The Panhandle team continues to work towards the vision of “Park to Park.” When completed, one should be able to follow the Panhandle Pathway from Tippecanoe River State Park on the north end to France Park on the south and never leave the trail. All of the Panhandle friends who continue to back these efforts are appreciated. This is not possible without your help.
The Guys Go Out for a Ride
Alan Nies, area resident and avid bicycle rider, had a recent memorable experience of riding the trail with his three grandchildren.
Fun time for all: Ages 3 to 64. As they discovered, bike riding on the Panhandle Pathway is more than a bike ride. There is so much to see and explore and no two trips are exactly alike. It is an adventure every time.
On this day’s ride they encountered a garter snake sunning on the asphalt. Riley, the 3-year-old, rode his bike right up to investigate. The older two wanted grandpa to check things out first. Next came a large trail side groundhog hole—all looked inside and discovered—no one was home! Just an empty hole.
Alan is no newcomer to bicycle riding and had to explain to the grandkids that a trip to Mud Creek is something that their mothers enjoyed doing when they were little. Back then, of course, it was railroad tracks and not a recreational trail.
As with any long trip out and back, everyone got a little thirsty, and Riley had to sample grandpa’s water bottle drink. He had to explain that grandpa’s drink tasted a little funny. Grandpa said the water was a sports drink and had electrolytes in it. “It gives you energy!” After that conversation, Riley was back out and leading the pack again.
The 7-year-old, Ezra, and the 5-year-old, Jonah, enjoyed wearing their new bicycle helmets. Riley and grandpa put new stickers on Riley’s helmet. By the end of the day, all were tired, ready to go home and agreed that they certainly had fun.
Have something to say about the Panhandle Pathway? Please share: www.panhandlepathway.org/contact-us/.
Park to park will be terrific… can’t wait 😊🚴🏻
