Flatlander, Gravel Grinder draw crowd

Flatlander, Gravel Grinder draw crowd

Riders arrive from around the region for annual cycling events

news@theeveningtimes.com More than 100 colorfully clad bicyclists lined up on Polk St. and South Loop for the start of a metric century ride from West Memphis around Horseshoe Lake and back. The 62 mile Flatlander ride was the first to peddle though the city Saturday Morning. City Clerk Phillip Para lead a 15 mile Gravel Grinder ride from the Big River Tail Head around the new Delta River Regional Park and back to Pancho’s for a luncheon. Riders came from all around the region for the fourth annual event put on by the Convention and Visitors Bureau which hoped to promote cycling tourism along the developing trail system that criss-crosses the city.

West Memphis has become a hub for cycling enthusiasts. Riders from DeSoto, Shelby and Crittenden Counties made the ride with participants coming from Jonesboro, Paragould, Helena, and Little Rock. One rider eyed the area to be included in a prospective Little Rock to Beale St. ride.

The tour was geared toward adult participation and it seemed there was no upper age limit. A pair in their seventies peddled the round trip. James Perkins, age 75, and John Owens, 77 came fro DeSoto county for the scenic tour.

A big ripe cotton field in Proctor made for scenic photos for many of the riders who stopped along the road for a shot on the roadside next to the levee.

Two Marion women met while making their first ever organized ride. The friendship between Emily Shultz and Lisa Schafer was set by the 20 mile mark of the ride.

“We just met on the journey,” said Schafer. “This was a first ride for both of us.”

“We were probably the most novice people,” said Shultz. “We were kind of in the rear and started chatting and

(More Flatlander and Gravel Grinder pics on Page 2)

Photo by John Rech realized we were both from the same town. Then stayed with each other the whole way. We’re going to exchange numbers and stay in touch.”

A sense of accomplishment was on the list for the riders that made a 20 mile loop out of the longer ride route.

“I showed myself I could do it,” said Shultz.

The two chatted it up despite a bit of a head wind.

“The wind was up and then when the trucks passed you had their wind too. But it was all good.”

The scenery snagged the attention of the pair as well. “I loved the scenery,” said Shultz. “We saw a little cotton field.”

“It was a little field right by a church and cyclists were hopping off there for pictures,” said Schafer.

“Riding next to the levee was fun.”

Publicity for the event was multifaceted and effective.

Schafer found out about the ride reading the paper.

Shultz saw an ad in a fitness magazine. Many heard about the event from their cycling club or favorite mid-south bike shop. Both the friends registered online late Friday.

“It was in the paper. I saw it twice,” Schafer said. “I read it again last night and registered.”

By John Rech