Hundreds Enjoy the Ride at Heritage Trail Bicycle Tour
Derek Redd Trending
At the start of the Wheeling Heritage Trail Bicycle Tour, event director Jim Adams reminded cyclists that Sunday's tour wasn't a race, but a ride.
Rather than get the competitive juices flowing, the tour was an opportunity for cyclists of varying skill levels to get out and enjoy the scenery while getting plenty of exercise.
"I think people just enjoy riding bikes together," Adams said. "It's something that young and old can do together. It kind of crosses all generations, and it's fun."
Adams said about 200 cyclists came out Sunday morning to participate in one of three tours. There was a 100-kilometer trail that sent cyclists past Bethany College and back into downtown Wheeling, full of challenging hills and slopes. There was a 50-kilometer tour for those who wanted a good, but shorter workout, which took cyclists up to the Ohio County/Brooke County line and back. And there was a 15-kilometer tour perfect for families that sent riders south instead of north, taking them toward Marshall County and back.
Nathan Musser was excited Sunday morning to take part in the 100-kilometer tour. He has been cycling for about eight years and has traversed the course he would take Sunday a few times. Yet he had never done it with as large of a group as he joined Sunday.
"This is my first big group ride," he said. "It's going to be awesome. The energy is great already.
"Cyclists are just cool people," Musser continued. "They're big into fitness. There's not too much stress. It's not even a race, it's just everybody hanging out for 100 kilometers."
The camaraderie of cycling gets to shine in an event like this, Musser said. There aren't any medals or prize money on the line, so everyone is able to enjoy the ride.
"We all kind of watch out for each other and we watch out for nature," he said. "We love biking through the communities."
The proceeds from Sunday's tour goes directly back to Ohio Valley Trail Partners, Adams said. The group's next project is the Heritage Trail Connector, which will connect Wheeling Creek Trail with Wheeling Heritage Trail, complete with signage and painted lines to allow those wanting to ride from one trail to the other to do so safely.
"It stays local, so we're really happy about that," Adams said.