Through the City
As of last month, the Butler Freeport Community Trail is paved between Freeport and Butler.
Although the roughly 20-mile path attracts a host of cyclists, a few wander into the city, pedaling as a group on Friday nights to local parks and eateries.
“We get an average of at least 12 people; we've had as many as 30,” said Chris Ziegler of Jefferson Township, who began co-hosting the rides last year.
Ziegler, 43, who also serves as the trail council president, said she anticipated more riders venturing into Butler once the trail was complete — so she decided to get organized. Since Ziegler had already been cycling with friends Chuck Davey, Jon Dreher and Dave Krack, it was no trouble for the group to issue an open invitation to outings in the city.
“We wanted a safe route for people to follow,” Ziegler said.
On Friday nights, that route begins in the parking lot on North Main Street behind the Butler Library. There, riders of all abilities are invited to gather at 6 p.m. and pedal about 10 miles before concluding the ride with a restaurant meal.
“We pick and choose depending on the weather and depending on the hours of daylight,” Ziegler said of the route.
“We usually go to Memorial Park, Alameda Park and over to Father Marinaro Park,” she added.
The rides first occurred between April and November 2010, with advertising done through word of mouth, fliers, Facebook and e-mail. They resumed this year in March.
As well as offering camaraderie, Ziegler said the outings introduce cyclists to riding on the road.
“I had never ridden on the road before our first week, and now I ride to work,” she said. “The best way to learn is in a group. You have a little bit of security because we're a bigger group and the motorists are more cautious.”
“Group riding is a lot more fun. It's an easy pace,” agreed Brent Crater, 25, of Center Township, among the 16 cyclists who showed up July 8.
Crater began attending the rides last year after learning about them through friends. He in turn recruited Cassie Cox, 21, of Chicora.
“When we get on the road we actually stretch out so you can ride by whoever you want,” Cox said. “We never hit, never run into each other. We're pretty good about that. ... It's not like a big race, either. They always wait for the slow ones like me.”Tony Manfred, 22, said the rides are a good activity for families. Manfred was riding with his girlfriend, 21-year-old Morgan Christman, and his 24-year-old brother Andy, who pedaled a homemade high bike that everyone referred to as “Big Dumb Bill.”Rounding out the family was Tony and Andy's father Mark, 52, of Butler Township, who joined the rides after receiving his bike as a gift from his sons.“It kind of gets me off the couch. I go out and get some exercise,” Mark Manfred said. “Afterward, I have a couple beers — and a couple greasy hot dogs.”That night, the hot dogs would come from the Butler Hot Dog Shoppe on South Monroe Street. But Ziegler said the group strives for variety in its dining spots.The riders themselves are also diverse.“We have all ages,” Ziegler said, describing cyclists in their 70s and toddlers riding in passenger seats.The group rides in most weather except during thunder and lightening.“Last week we got rained on,” Ziegler said.“I think we had 13 people. We knew it was going to rain, but we had fun. You feel like you're 10 again: riding through the puddles lifting your feet.”
