Fort Wayne’s Trek the Trails is back for its fourth year and is now offering “tasty” fare!

Free, guided community bike rides are still the main attraction of Trek the Trails, but new walks and food events have been added this year.

Trek the Trails is jointly planned and organized by the City of Fort Wayne Greenways Department and Fort Wayne Trails and offers rides at 6 p.m. every Tuesday beginning May 7 through October 1.

Several events will incorporate Trail Mixers with food available after the ride offering a chance to grab a bite to eat while getting to know other trail users.

Trek the Trails will take bicyclists through all parts of the community – along the Rivergreenway, the Wabash & Erie Canal Towpath Trail, the Aboite Trails, the Pufferbelly Rail-to-Trail and the Salomon Farm Trail and even to New Haven’s Moser Park. The rides are 6-8 miles long, and walks will be included on each event that includes a Trail Mixer. There are also longer Saturday rides for more experienced riders. This season will also offer a 1-2 mile walk on the trail at the same time as the bike ride.

At all Tuesday rides, participants can enter to win a free bike from Trek and Summit City Bicycles & Fitness.

A full schedule of the Tuesday night ride locations can be found at the Fort Wayne Parks and Recreation page.  Rides may be cancelled due to unsafe weather.

• 

It was 7 a.m. on my first Saturday as a Fort Wayne resident when my phone rang. It was my mother calling from Illinois, asking what I had planned for that day.  Since sleep was obviously out of the question, I mumbled something about unpacking and finding my way around town.  I was a single girl, living in a town where I knew no one, and can honestly say I hadn’t planned much for my first weekend in the city.

My mother, in typical mom fashion, had already looked up Visit Fort Wayne’s calendar and had a list of things I could be doing that day.  It was obvious the conversation was going to continue until I committed to something on her list and agreed to report back later in the day.  I chose the Downtown Fort Wayne Walking Tour.

I love history and architecture so it seemed like the least painful thing to agree to at 7 a.m.  It turned out to be one of the highlights of my time here in Fort Wayne.  It was a great experience and one I’m happy to admit my mother was right about.  With walking shoes, sunglasses, a bottle of water, the $10 fee, and sunscreen I set out to meet the tour group at the Barr Street Market where we would depart on our 90-minute tour.  I learned quickly that volunteers like the one leading our tour are passionate about this city and love giving you the “inside story” of the history of things.  It was easy to get swept up in the passion of our guide.

As we departed Barr Street Market, I began to see Downtown Fort Wayne in a way I hadn’t during the interview process.  Downtown Fort Wayne is filled with history and interesting history at that.  For example, the train elevation running through downtown used to be a canal.  Who knew? I certainly would have never guessed that.  Or that the beautiful tower bank has an old fashioned soda fountain just off the lobby or that the beautiful concrete art structures on the lawn of historic Allen County Courthouse were actually left overs from the ones at the top of the building found in a basement and used when the city created the park that now sits in front of the courthouse.  I use that fact every time I need a little fact that makes me sound clever.

My guide was funny and warm and looked just like the retired history buff you imagine he would.  He welcomed me with open arms to this great city and made me want to stay.  Whether you’re a visitor or a life long resident, I encourage you to check out the walking tour.  You’ll want to stay too!

Additional walking and bus tours are available for a variety of areas in Fort Wayne.  Check out Arch’s website at www.archfw.org for more info.

And, if you ever want to try it on your own, check out this self-guided walking tour!

• 

Germanfest is the unofficial kickoff of Fort Wayne’s summer festival season. The week long celebration is a celebration of Essen, Trinken, und Gemutlichkeit (“Eating, drinking, and having a really good time”!) While Fort Wayne residents and visitors alike love to do all three, the festival also celebrates the German heritage many Fort Wayne residents share.  Fort Wayne is often be referred to as “A Most German City” because of its strong German ancestry.

The festival, which began in 1981, will take place June 2-9 at Headwaters Park in downtown Fort Wayne.

Throughout the week several events will take place that you don’t want to miss.  The Beer Stein Relay Race (you know you want to try it) gives you the opportunity to combine your love of running, friends, and beer on Friday night. Be sure to bring your camera and your sense of humor.

Want to embrace your inner Lucy Ricardo? Then check out the Trauben Tromp (Grape Stomp) on Saturday June 9. Grab three friends and prepare to stomp over 300 pounds of grapes.

After you’ve stomped all of those grapes, why not learn to polka? Patrick Didier and the American Styles Ballroom Dance Studio will be giving free lessons in the Germanfest Festival Pavilion.  Traditional German bands will play throughout the week as well.

Did we mention the food?  Be sure to bring your appetite when you come to Germanfest.  Traditional German food and beverages will be available for your enjoyment as well!

Germanfest opens at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday June 5 with admission of $2 from 2:00-5:00 and $5 admission after 5 p.m.  Minors must be accompanied by parents.  No one under 21 permitted after 9:30 p.m.  Parking is available in the city lot next to Headwaters Park.

• 

Did you know that the month of May is National Bike Month? In conjunction with the 2013 National Bike Challenge and the League of American Bicyclists, Fort Wayne is encouraging cyclists of all ages and riding levels to get out and pump the pedals!

National Bike Month aims to celebrate the unique power of the bicycle and the variety of reasons people ride. Whether it’s biking for fun, exercise, helping the environment, saving time and money, etc… getting involved in National Bike Month is a great way to enjoy the beautiful Spring weather, while also championing the unique power of the bicycle and the many reasons to get out and take a ride!

To go along with this month-long celebration of the bicycle, there are a variety of bike-related events that you can join in, whether it’s on your own or with a group! Even though it is already the middle of the month, there are still PLENTY of opportunities to get involved! Some of the highlights include:

• National Bike Challenge -all month: Log ALL of your biked miles in Fort Wayne on the National Bike Challenge website. On June 1st the top individual and top team who logged the most miles across the city in May will be announced. Join in on the opportunity to put Fort Wayne on the map as a City of Cyclists!
• Movie Night: Breaking Away – May 24: Bike to Cinema Center and get a member discount! Bicycle friendly Fort Wayne will watch your bike while you relax and enjoy a movie. Breaking Away is an Academy Award winner (1979, screenplay) that cycles high on comedy as four friends come to terms with life after high school. Filmed in and around Bloomington, it’s a Hoosier classic!
• Fort4Fitness Spring Cycle – May 25: Join the 2nd annual Spring Cycle tour of Fort Wayne. Participants can choose from three different touring distances ranging from 17-43 miles. There will also be a family-friendly ride. Make sure to stick around after the tour to watch the Twilight Criterium. For more info, check out http://www.fort4fitness.org/spring-cycle.asp
• Bike to Coffee Day – May 31: Meet up with fellow bike commuter over a cup of joe and breakfast at the Dash-In. If you can’t make it, don’t fret! This group meets on the last Friday of each month at the Dash-In between 7am and 8am.

Hop on your bicycle and help Fort Wayne celebrate National Bike Month!

In addition to these great events, there are plenty of other opportunities to get involved in National Bike Month and the Fort Wayne community. Every Sunday is Sundays on a Bike, where riders are encouraged to get out and take advantage of the lighter traffic and easy pace while exploring the city. There are also a number of  Trek the Trails events going on throughout the month.

For more information on how to get involved with National Bike Month, and any of the events going on, you can visit nationalbikechallenge.org, The League of American Cyclists, or Visit Fort Wayne. You can also contact the River Greenway (260-427-6228) or Bike Fort Wayne (bikefortwayne@gmail.com).

• 

One of my favorite things about Fort Wayne is that regardless of where you live, there is likely a trail nearby, and accessible. I recently moved to southwest Fort Wayne. Having lived in downtown for several years, I was unsure how that might affect my biking habit. To my surprise, there is a lovely (and scenic) route that takes you right into downtown!

Here’s how you can discover it for yourself. Start at the Engle Rd. Trailhead (1 block south of the intersection of Engle and Jefferson). Along the way, you will encounter some beautiful sights, so have your camera on hand! Eagle Marsh, home of the Little River Wetlands project, is a 716-acre wetland preserve located on the southwest border of Fort Wayne, Indiana. Eight miles of trails allow hikers to access the preserve’s varied habitats of shallow-water wetland, sedge meadow, prairie, mature forest and young trees. Be prepared to see some critters! My favorite part is crossing the bridge over the wetlands.

Get close to nature on the Towpath Trail.

Not far from the preserve is a drinking fountain and bench, ideal for taking a breather. From here, follow the trail northeast to Rockhill Park.

Insider’s Note: This is a very flat bicycle ride with only a few but very slight elevation gains.

There are restrooms and a drinking fountain available at Rockhill Park. Rockhill Park is also equipped with a basketball court, baseball field, small playground and picnic tables.

Insider’s Note:  There are several sections of the trail currently closed, largely between Engle Rd and Covington Rd.  Please be aware, during rainy times portions of the trail may be muddy and/or slippery. Please slow down and use caution especially on boardwalks.

If you’re looking to appreciate the trails with other enthusiasts, you’ll enjoy the Trek the Trails series. Join other bikers on May 21st for a group ride on the Towpath Trail. Meet at the trailhead in Rockhill Park near 1400 Catalpa St., east of the intersection. or W. Jefferson Blvd and Freeman St. All rides start at 6 pm.

For updated information about closures, visit the Fort Wayne Parks and Recreation website.

And, you can find more rides like these on our Trail Ride Itineraries page!

•