Rather than peaks of the Alps or the final jog of Champs-Elysesin Paris, the scenic countryside stretching from south of Muncie toMarion, making up Indiana's longest paved rail trail, were theboundaries of the fourth annual Great Greenway Tour on July 31.
Routes of 40, 60 and 100 miles were accomplished, givingcyclists from all over the state and country an opportunity tobecome familiar with Muncie's Cardinal Greenway and surroundinglandscape.
Beth McKay, coordinator for the tour, said cyclists with alllevels of experience participate, with participation steadilyrising over the years.
"Numbers have gone from 68 the first year, to 140 and 165,continually going up," McKay said. "People enjoy traveling todifferent trails and checking out what is in that community."
The ride begins and ends at McCulloch Park, with all of the 20and 40-mile routes and 65 percent of the 100-mile route on pavedtrail--one of the highlights of the tour, said McKay.
"Some people just like the comfort of riding on the greenway,"she said. "It's open and keeps them out of traffic."
SAG stops, or stations where riders can get assistance withmechanical problems, pick up a drink or snack or even get lunch,were scattered in fours every 10 miles.
Jay Auxier, manager of Kirk's Bike Shop, said the benefit of thetour is its ability to get people outside and moving. The shopprovided maintenance and mechanical support for the tourparticipants.
"The tour gets people familiar with the greenway and things inMuncie," Auxier said. "People that wouldn't normally venture out doand have fun."��
Cyclist Irene Poyer, who completed seven bicycle tours last yearand rode the 40-mile route for her first time on the CardinalGreenway, said that cyclists from amateur to veteran are capable ofriding in the tour.
"A lot of tours offer definite skill levels for someone that'sjust got a regular bike and are happy riding on the street," Poyersaid. "Really, anyone can do it. I would say families with littleones should come to something like this, especially because it's onthe greenway and out of street traffic."
Poyer says socializing with other people is an attraction of thetours.
"It's just a great way to spend part of the weekend," Poyersaid. "A lot of it's the social activity, as well as the exercise.There are lots of people that you get to talk to at the SAG stops,and it's just a lot of fun. That's one of the reasons I got intothis."
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