Bike The Rail Trail Day
When: Saturday, May 21st, 2011 - 10 AM to 3 PM (rain date Sunday, May 22nd*)
What:
A day to celebrate biking on the trail! Come on out and enjoy the rail trail on bikes. Of course, walkers, dog walkers, and joggers are always welcome on the trail, and this day is no exception. However, on this day, we'll have many activities and services geared to encouraging safe bicycle use on the trail. Food and beverages will be available for sale. You may want to bring a blanket so you can enjoy your lunch in front of the gardens at the Rec Center park! This event is sponsored by the Goffstown Parks & Recreation Department, Alternative Bike Shop, and the Friends of the Goffstown Rail Trail.
Participating in this event earns you a stamp for the Goffstown Challenge!
Where:
The start location for this event is at the Goffstown Parks & Recreation Center, 155 Mast Road. You may park your car there, or if this lots fills up, overflow parking is available at the Goffstown High School parking lot, which is a short walk to the Parks & Rec Center. You may also want to park at one of these other parking locations along the trail and bike over to the Parks & Rec Center.
What Type of Bike Is Recommended? Bring your fat-tire off-road bike, your cyclocross bike, or your commuter or hybrid bike. Skinny tire road bikes are not recommended. The Goffstown Rail Trail is a gravel surface. It is not paved. Most of the rail trail surface is compact and easy to ride on. However, there are a few short sections where the trail surface is loose sand. You may need to get off your bike and walk over these short sections, but only for short distances. Most kids bikes, including bikes with training wheels, and tricycles, are fine for some sections of the trail.
Biking Skills Sessions:
The following free sessions are being offered at 11:30 and 2:00. You must sign up for these sessions on the day of the event.
- How to Fix a Flat Tire - Free demonstration & instruction on how to fix a flat tire. A must-have skill for any bike rider. Recommended age: 14 and over.
- Biking Skills - A 20-minute verbal presentation and demonstration of safe cycling techniques, including rules of the road, and bike control drills. Recommended for all ages.
Other Free Activities:
- Need Air? - We'll have floor pumps available and someone to help make sure your tires are riding at the correct air pressure.
- Helmet Fitting & Helmet Safety Checks - Experts trained in helmet adjustment will be on hand to ensure that you and your child's bike helmets are adjusted properly.
- Bike Fitting & Bike Safety Checks - Experts will be on hand to determine if your bike, and or your child's bike, is safe for riding, and also to give advice on how well you are fit to your bike.
- Bike Wash Station - We'll have a free bike wash station setup, with instruction on how to properly wash your bike.
Rail Trail Biking Maps
We will have free maps that suggest a variety of short, long, and medium distance bike ride loops and out-and-backs on the rail trail. The maps provide detail such as distances, scenic vistas and points of interest along the trail you might want to check out, and suggestions on places you may want to stop along the trail (food stops, ice cream stops, etc.)
You can download these maps: Shirley Park Shuffle, Magoo's Meander, Manchester Town Line Trek.
Food and Beverages
A variety of food and beverage items will be available for sale that day. We'll have hot dogs, chili, water, juices, baked goods and a few other items you may be interested in purchasing.
Other:
To participate in this event, you must be wearing helmet if you are using your bike. Helmets are required by state law for persons 15 years of age and under.
*Rain Date:
Sunday, May 22nd, 2011. Only severe weather would cause this event to be rescheduled. Check the website on Friday, May 20th, or on the morning of May 21st, to determine if the event has been rescheduled due to weather.