‘Community Ties Bike Tour’ set for July 25

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Staff Report

Bicyclists riding in the 13th annual “Community Ties Bike Tour” on July 25 will help fund multi-purpose trail projects near Galena and Condit that will become part of the cross-state Ohio to Erie Trail.

Community Ties proceeds will help the Delaware County Friends of the Trail complete the Galena Trail in Galena and the Meredith State Trail east of Condit, according to Dave Bender, DCFT president.

The Galena Trail project has received a $215,000 Clean Ohio Trail Fund grant, and project design is underway with bridge work and paving expected this year. The Meredith State Trail has received $100,000 in state funding toward preparation and future paving.

The Community Ties Tour includes 31-, 62- and 100-mile rides through Delaware County communities, including Sunbury and Galena with SAG support and homemade cookies at each food stop. Families – parents and up to four children — can choose an eight-mile route on the Genoa Trail and Hoover Scenic Trail.

A full post-ride lunch will feature fresh, healthful, locally sourced and homemade foods from the Glass Rooster Home Cannery of Sunbury, according to Bender.

Community Ties is held annually to promote safety and healthy lifestyles, and to raise funds to help complete the Ohio to Erie Trail through eastern Delaware County and develop multi-use trails in local communities.

“We’re planning for 350 riders this year,” Bender said. “This is great tune-up ride for the popular Pelotonia ride to cure cancer Aug. 8-9. For others, including many riders from across Ohio, Community Ties is a summer favorite in its own right with an exceptional lunch. And the family fun ride is a great introduction to multi-use trails for health and recreation for all ages.”

All rides start and end at Northside Fellowship Church, 6841 Freeman Road, just north of Westerville off State Route 3. Riders on the 31-, 62- and 100-mile routes may start anytime from 7 to 9 a.m. The eight-mile family ride begins at 10 a.m.

Cost for the longer rides is $25 per rider in advance, $35 the day of the ride. Cost for the family fun ride is $30 per family in advance, $40 day-of-ride. Participants can register online via the DCFT website, www.dcft.org, through July 24, or at the starting location on the day of the ride.

DCFT is working to create a 16-mile stretch of multi-use trail between Westerville and Knox County through or near the communities of Galena and Sunbury. The trail is envisioned as part of the Ohio to Erie Trail stretching from the Ohio River to Lake Erie. Most recent trail additions include the Hoover Scenic Trail along Hoover Reservoir between Genoa Township and Galena, and the Kane’s Crossing Bridge Trail across Big Walnut Creek in Galena.

Information for this story was provided by the Delaware County Friends of the Trail.

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