Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
RIDERS CATCH their breathe Sunday at the Erwin Township Hall during the Go Ride R Range Ride.
IRONWOOD - With dark storm clouds looming, bike riders from across the area took part in the seventh annual Go Ride R Range Ride Sunday.
Organizers estimate 87 riders participated in the event, which began at Ironwood's Depot Park and went to the Erwin Township Hall before returning to Depot Park.
"One of the cool things was ... the fine people out there at the Erwin Township Hall had lemonade and cookies for us," said organizer Jim Mildren.
The route began on the constructed section of the Iron Belle Trail before heading into Erwin Township. Riders could choose a 10-mile or 20-mile route, although Mildren thought the thunder clouds approaching the township hall convinced roughly 90 percent of the riders to opt for the shorter route.
Profits from the event will be used for local trail development, Mildren said, with the ride supporting the "Bridge the Gap" campaign, efforts to expand bike trails around Copper Peak and the Depot Park in the past.
He estimated roughly $1,000 will be available to go back into trails after the ride's expenses are covered.
With the Iron Belle trail - the local portion of which is known as the Gateway Trail - expected to be extended into Bessemer sometime this fall, Mildren expects the trail will become the permanent site of the ride in the future.
"From this year on it's going to be on the trail, because the trail is so much safer," he said. "You don't have to worry about cars, you don't have to worry about glass on the trail."
Following the ride, participants gathered at Depot Park for food and entertainment by local Ironwood duo Sugar and Spice.
Overall, Mildren said the event went great and it was good to see the community support for it and events like it.
"Great event, I'm so pleased that this community is getting healthier," he said. "When this community put their effort into making this park, when this community put their effort into making the Iron Belle trail, when you can get 80 to 100 people for a bike ride, when you can get 100 people for a run - it's a good deal."
