This is a reprint from the Wellcommons website about our Bike Ride!

http://wellcommons.com/groups/bicycling/2011/jul/16/pics-lawrences-first-community-bike-ride/

Despite hot, humid weather, Lawrence’s first Community Bike Ride this morning drew 125 participants of all ages. At age 69, Bob Swan, Lawrence, got on a bicycle for the first time in nearly 40 years and rode two miles.  He took a spin around the Rotary Arboretum with his daughter Amy Swan, 35, and granddaughter Maya Morris, 8.

“Hey, I didn’t have a cardiac arrest,” he said, with a grin.

Lawrence’s first Community Bike Ride drew three generations of riders. From left, are Bob Swan, 69, with his daughter Amy Swan, 35, and granddaughter Maya Morris, 8, all of Lawrence. by Karrey Britt

Meanwhile, Parker Moore, 4, was able to ride his bicycle without training wheels for the first time.

His parents, Jim and Allison, were having a birthday party for him after the event because he was born on Christmas Day. They wanted to give him a 4 1/2 birthday party where he could invite his friends. What’s he getting for his birthday? A new bike and now he’s ready!

Four-year-old Parker Moore concentrates on balancing without training wheels as his father, Jim, lets go of his bicycle as the two participated in the first annual Community Bike Ride hosted by the Lawrence Central Rotary Club Saturday, July 16, 2011 at the Rotary Arboretum near the YSI sports complex in west Lawrence. by John Young

Participants came and went during the two-hour event, which started at 9 a.m. They could pick between three rides: one mile, three miles and eight miles. Some took the mile loop around the Rotary Arboretum several times, took a break and then rode again. Many discovered the bike trails in the area for the first time and said they would be back.

Here are some pictures from the event, which was sponsored by Lawrence Central Rotary Club:

Two riders participate in the first Community Bike Ride at the Rotary Arboretum near the YSI sports complex in west Lawrence. The event featured three different courses that riders could take, a safety zone where children could learn and practice bicycle safety, and a training wheel take-off station where kids could learn to ride without training wheels. by John Young

Eight-year-old Ryleigh Leon learns how to ride without training wheels with a little help from Lawrence resident Steve Harrington. He was using a technique to teach riding without wheels that involves letting the children coast down a slight hill so that the kids can focus solely on balancing and not have to worry about pedaling. by John Young

Avery Qualseth, 7, and her sister Rylee, 10, were handing out T-shirts during Lawrence’s first Community Bike Ride. Avery’s arm was in a cast so she couldn’t participate, but Rylee took the one-mile ride. by Karrey Britt

From left are Rahul Desai, Alyssa Wrightsman, Jessica Stockham and Mark Stockham, all of Lawrence. They rode eight miles during the Lawrence Community Bike Ride on Saturday, July 16, 2011, that started at the Rotary Arboretum. It was the first bike ride they had taken as a group. They said it was a fun, well-organized event and they loved the free T-shirts. by Karrey Britt

Timothy and Jessica Cole, of Eudora, and their three children, Molly, 10, Ryan, 8, and Anna, 5, participated in Lawrence’s first Community Bike Ride. They took the three-mile route, which they described as fairly flat with a nice view. Everyone had a bicycle, except Anna who rode along with dad. The children enjoyed the water misters after their ride to keep cool from the hot, humid weather. Jessica said they try to bike at least twice a week. by Karrey Britt

Ed Heinen, 66, and his granddaughter Jordan Nations, 10, both of Lawrence, rode at least three miles during the Community Bike Ride. Ed often goes on bicycle rides with his grandchildren. They didn’t know about this bicycle trail. Ed said, “Now, I know another good place to come back and ride.” by Karrey Britt

Bob Swan, left, Sienna Leon and her daughter, Marina Profeti-Leon, 5, work on fixing a bicycle tire during the Community Bike Ride at the Rotary Arboretum. Sienna, who is from Italy and in Lawrence for the summer, was lending her air pump to Bob. by Karrey Britt

From left are Zach Bradburn, Richard Falley and Ali Edwards, of Lawrence. They are getting ready to ride eight miles during the Community Bike Ride that started in the Rotary Arboretum. The three have been taking bicycle rides on Monday evenings. This was their first time to ride along the South Lawrence Trafficway bicycle trail near Clinton Lake. by Karrey Britt

Melissa Hoffman, and her son, Braden, 7, foreground, attend the Community Bike Ride. Braden, who just got a new bicycle, was gearing up for the one-mile ride. He rides several times a week. by Karrey Britt

Ron and Carolyn Crawford, both of Lawrence, rode eight miles during the first Community Bike Ride in Lawrence. They both are exercise enthusiasts, often participating in Red Dog’s Dog Days workouts, bicycling and running. Crawford said some of the hills on the eight-mile ride were challenging, especially in the hot, humid weather, but she had fun. by Karrey Britt

A child uses her feet to help her balance as she learns how to ride without training wheels during the first Community Bike Ride hosted by the Lawrence Central Rotary Club Saturday, July 16, 2011, at the Rotary Arboretum. by John Young

Three-year-old Ida Harrington carries her training wheels to the side of the sidewalk after having them removed from her bicycle during the first Community Bike Ride. by John Young

Bicyclists get ready to take off during Lawrence’s first Community Bike Ride on Saturday, July 16, 2011, at the Rotary Arboretum. There were three rides: one mile, three miles and eight miles. by Karrey Britt

LiveWell Lawrence provided a $7,500 grant to the rotary club, which is focused on increasing bicycling in the community. The bicycle ride is just one of the club’s initiatives. It also has established a website called RideLawrence.com — which serves as the clearinghouse for all bicycle activities in Lawrence. It also has commissioned local artists to create unique bike racks and three have been installed in the community.

Marilyn Hull, facilitator of LiveWell Lawrence, said it was good to see so many families participate in the community’s first bicycle event.

“We were hoping that we would get folks who would just get the cob webs off the bikes and pump up the tires and get out here and remind themselves how much fun it is to ride,” she said. “I think it’s really important to have events that are noncompetitive.”