Ride the Districts bike tour a success

Thanks to The Gazette for having told us about the first-ever Ride the Districts bike tour through the southwest side's City Council District 5.

Starting riverside at the McGrath Amphitheatre, 50 to 60 citizens led by city employees and leaders followed a less-trafficked path through the southwest side with stops to learn about things being done to protect and improve our town (flood protection, safe biking routes and active living).

Folks from across the city had a chance to mix and talk while pedaling through neighborhoods not familiar to us all.

For example, we made two stops in Beverly Park, a large, forested park with hiking and mountain biking trails as well as a developing prairie wildflower area. We all paid our own way at the tour's well-chosen lunch (Kirkwood Hotel) and refreshment stops (The Shack by the roller dam and Quinton's, near the amphitheater).

Active people, who enjoy biking, should watch for possible future Ride the Districts in other Cedar Rapids City Council districts. We are going to ask our council member to put in his bid to have the next tour in the southeast side of this fair city.

Stephen Kemble

Cedar Rapids