Fun day out with dad coming up

  • 2021-05-09
An event is coming up near Champaign that will allow dads to spend some bonding time with their children.

The Dad Time Bike Ride is scheduled to take place in Urbana, next door to Champaign, and is aimed at getting fathers and their children to enjoy a fun outdoor activity together. The riders will pedal down the Kickapoo Rail Trail, which runs between St. Joseph and Urbana. The multi-use pathway will eventually be 24.5 miles long, following the former CSX right-of-way from East Urbana to Kickapoo State Park, and is designed so users can travel through local ecosystems including wetlands, prairie, and woodland.

Those who take part in the ride may bring their own bicycles, but if anyone without a bicycle wants to ride, bikes will be provided by Champaign County Bikes. However only a limited supply of these “loaners” is available.

Riders should plan to meet at 10:30 am in St. Joseph at Kolb Park to access the trail. Before starting the ride, which starts at 11:00 am, attendees should use the time for an ABC (air, brakes, chain) check. The object is for participants to ride as far west as possible at their own pace. Flyer printing can provide handouts for those participating in events like this.

Anyone who wants to attend needs to register on the Real Families website, and plan to bring snacks, water, sunscreen, a helmet, a picnic lunch, and bikes (if they have them). The event is set for May 15.