Review of Mayor’s Healthy Hometown Subway Hike, Bike & Paddle By: Jeanette

This was my first year participating in its 7 year history and it was the first time for the addition of the paddle component. Besides the hot sun, it was a great experience for being a FREE event! We were able to park in one of the parking lots near Waterfront Park. It would have been a good idea to have arrived right when the booths open (9am) to take advantage of all the FREE things they were giving away: pedometers, t-shirts, get fitted for a bike helmet and bike water bottles to name a few things. They also had booths to have your bike checked out. Prior to starting the bike, the mayor made an appearance and spoke about all the support they’ve had from the biking and paddling community with this event. There were tons of bikers – and even a unicycle and penny-farthings. It took at least 10-15minutes for all the bikers to cross the start line. There were tons of families with their kids biking too. They encouraged the experienced bikers to go first since there were so many bikers. The bike was a 15mile course. Once the bikes were gone, the hikers took off. We opted for the hike this time. It was a well marked path going through the park for a little bit. There was one water stop, although I could have used another stop with the hot weather. You had a choice between a 3.2mile course or 4.1mile. For the paddle route, you traveled 2.6miles. Once you got back to where the festivities were happening there was a hydrant opened enough with a mist to cool off, some cold water to drink, and more music playing.