Join a community bike ride Saturday, Aug. 9, to celebrate the near completion of the Heart of Iowa Nature Trail, which connects five communities in Story County.
The Heart of Iowa Nature Trail Bike Ride will begin with a rolling start from 8 to 9 a.m. in Slater. Cyclists will travel 21 miles through Slater, Huxley, Cambridge, Maxwell and Collins.
The free event is to celebrate the completed paving of 21 miles of the 32-mile-long trail that stretches from Slater to Melbourne, connecting what were once thriving railroad communities, according to the Story County Conservation website. .
Route/Schedule
Riders will start in Slater and travel 21 miles east to Collins, where a ribbon-cutting will take place at 12:30 p.m. Riders are encouraged to explore each community along the way, according to a news release.
- Rolling start 8-9 a.m., gather at 421 Main St. in Slater
- Ride to Huxley (4 miles)
- Ride to Cambridge (4 miles)
- Ride to Maxwell (7 miles) with live music at Mom’s, 123 Main St., by Kent Atha beginning at 10 a.m.
- Ride to Collins (5.5 mi) – ribbon cutting at 12:30 p.m. at 104 Railway St.
Other activities in Collins include Frozen in Time Ice Cream Co. truck at 11 a.m., live music at The Back Yard, 222 Main St., beginning at 4 p.m. and a variety of local food and drink options, as well as food trucks.
Michael Cox, director of Story County Conservation; Ken Bryan, senior strategist for external relations with the Rails to Trails Conservancy; and Luke Hoffman, executive director of the Iowa Bicycle Coalition will be guest speakers.
Cyclists can then return to Slater and enjoy a food truck dinner and dessert between 4 and 8 p.m. on Main Street.
The family-friendly ride is free but registration is encouraged. Cyclists are welcome to join for as much or as little of the ride as they wish.
