Bike Ramble raises money for Flat Branch park
Published Oct. 7, 2003
In a sea of red flashing lights, florescent-green shirts and reflector tape-covered helmets, Mayor Darwin Hindman straddles his bike in preparation for the start of the fifth annual Midnight Bike Ramble.
This year, participants gathered at 10 p.m. Saturday at Flat Branch Park on the corner of Cherry and Fourth streets for the hour-long ride. Following the race, riders were invited for appetizers and drinks as well as a raffle drawing for various prizes.
At 9:45 p.m., the mayor greeted the crowd. In addition to welcoming the riders to the event, he told them about current projects to improve parks and bike trails. He discussed building an underpass so pedestrians and bike riders wouldn't have to cross the "dangerous" intersection at Stewart and Providence roads and the start of Phase Two of the Flat Branch Park project.
"The intersection of Stewart and Providence is dangerous, and it needs to be improved," Hindman said Monday. "It is very poorly designed as far as pedestrians are concerned. We intend to build the underpass to connect the trails through the park with those around town without having to cross Stewart and Providence."
MU owns some of the land near the intersection, and the city is waiting to finalize an agreement with the university to build the underpass, Hindman said.
"We hope we can begin in a few weeks," he said.
At the bike ramble, Hindman also told the crowd about developments in the Flat Branch Park project. Phase Two of the project is set to begin soon on the next block south of what is currently the finished part of the park.
"The area is currently a few parking lots," he said. "We've got a grant, and we're currently in the process of hiring someone to do an environmental clean-up before we can build the park. We've also been raising funds to pay for the park."
Following the mayor's welcome, bike riders prepared to ride toward campus. The route featured a ride through campus and downtown Columbia.
Brothers Chad Berchek, 20, and Todd Berchek, 16, participated in the event together.
"We're doing this for fun," Todd Berchek said.
Hindman said he thought the Midnight Bike Ramble went well this year.
"It was the largest participation in the history of the event," he said. "It was a nice night. We've had some bad nights in the past. People were in good spirits."