| RIVEREDGE RIVER VALLEY RIDE
Environmental natural history
stops on this nature center bike ride
By Jerry Kiesow
If you like biking in June, if rolling hills, streams, farms, woodlots and the like are not overly distracting to you as you cruise for the
day, if you like to RIDE rather than RACE, if you want to show off your company logo to 1,200 to 1,500 people while supporting environmental education – I have a happening for you: the 10th annual Riveredge River Valley Ride.
How it began:
A decade ago, Mary LaVelle, a member of the board of directors and volunteer at Riveredge Nature Center of Newburg, Wis., came up with a fund–raising idea that continues
to be one of most popular events of each year. Self described as "... a casual biker (30 miles or less) and not a racer," LaVelle ran her idea through all the proper channels – marketing, special  events, fund–raising – and finally got the go ahead to " ... give it try,
providing of course, you head the event." (Always remember: you come up with a good idea, be prepared to do the majority of the work.) One of the guidelines LaVelle had to incorporate into the ride was to keep the mission of RNC, environmental education, a part of the ride. In a way, that set the tone of the event – this is a RIDE, not a RACE. (You cannot
build in self–guided trails, with points of interest in history and natural history, and ask everyone to do it quickly. In order to make certain that everyone made the stops and still sped along at a goodly pace, there would have to be an exam at the end of the race. Don't think that would be too attractive.) Enviornmental and historical stops were established and the ride was a go. What you can expect today:
LaVelle doesn't guide the ride today; the reins have been passed to younger workhorses but today, the Riveredge River Valley Ride is still just a ride and not a race, and most of the rest stops do have historical value, but riders will not be quizzed at the end of the trip. (They never were.)
Through the years the ride has grown to become a 1,200 to 1,600
persons event. One reason for its continuing success is corporate participation. From the very beginning, LaVelle incorporated corporate support. Approximately 20 percent of the peddlers in that first fund–raiser were supported by corporations. In 2001 that percentage climbed to 42 percent.
Why go corporate? Often times companies are looking for unique ways to: a.) do things outside of work hours that will encourage employees to
get to know each other better and promote some camaraderie without a competitive atmosphere; b.) promote, advertise, get the company name in the public eye; c.) donate to worthwhile causes.
The Riveredge Ride fills all of the above: a.) a healthy ride through scenic countryside; b.) T–shirts with corporate logos printed for the riders to wear; c.) the continued advancements in environmental education.
Also in evidence are more and more club teams – those biking
organizations who get together on a regular basis and ride as a group. At the RRVR they are easy to spot. All are lycra–clad in identical, wonderfully wild and colorful "uniforms," like the hot–pink, neon–chartreuse, and glow–in–the–dark yellow splashes of vibrancy I saw at last year's event. What brilliant, conflicting contrasts as the peddlers zipped along in the dark green tree tunnels.
In the past, the rides were broken down into four lengths: eight miles, 16
miles, 30 miles and 50 miles. This year a Metric Century Ride has been added to the menu.
All rides begin and end at the center. Four of the now five circuits – the 16, 30, 50 and MCR begin concurrently by turning left at the end of the Riveredge driveway. Only the eight milers – turn right, having a route of their own. The 16 breaks off after a few miles and heads south, while the 30, 50 and MCR continue west, then north and a little farther west before taking their own turn to the south.
Eventually, they meet with the 16 again, then separate. This happens several times throughout the countryside – splitting and meeting again. Be sure you have the supplied map if you want to only do 30 miles and not 50 miles or 100 kilometers.
The Metric Century was created by adding a 15–mile loop at the northeast corner of the 50 miler at Waubeka, where bikers will veer north and west, then arrow straight east for five miles before returning
south and connecting again with the 50. Enroute there are two lakes, another view of the North Branch of the Milwaukee River and the Birthplace of Flag Day – nice addition if you are into 100K.
A portion of the 16, 30, 50 and MCR travels Wisconsin's Rustic Road number 52. For those who are not aware of what a Rustic Road is, the R. R. System was created in 1973 as an effort to preserve the remaining scenic, lightly traveled country roads for us to enjoy. To become a part
of the system, the road, its bordering landscape and the area in general must meet specific requirements. Once a road is accepted, it is given a number and designated with a special yellow and brown sign.
At one point in the ride, where Birchwood crosses Bluegoose, an alternative route is offered. I strongly suggest you take this. The gravel is not loose, the pedalling is fine, and you get to ride into and along the edge of Cedarburg Bog, a protected ecosystem which is one of the
University of Wisconsin's outdoor flora and fauna study areas. It's a really unique segment of the state.
All of the routes offer variety – new homes and old; small subdivisions and some not too small estates with their neatly manicured and landscaped lawns. You will pedal past placid portions of Cedar Creek and the Milwaukee River.
Throughout all of the trails, there are wetlands, farm fields and woodlots.
Wildlife can be as simple as songbirds, squirrels and cottontails, or a bit more exciting like pheasants, woodchucks, white–tailed deer or wild turkeys. Keep your eyes open for geese and ducks with young, Great Blue herons and perhaps a Sandhill crane or two. Bring your binoculars and your camera. Remember that this is just a good time ride. You begin and end at your own time and pace.
In addition to the ride itself, there will be raffle drawings, music, food,
face painting and activities for kids and families on the center's grounds. The center's hiking trails will be open for those who choose to take a short ride and then explore the land Riveredge manages so efficiently and environmentally friendly. All in all it will be a great day.
Ride details:
The ride is Sunday, June 23; preregistration for riders is on or before June 7; Corporate teams must register no later than May 17. Riders may
register after 7 a.m. the morning of the ride. Cost for preregistration is $22 for adults, $5 for kids under 12; after June 7, $30 adults, $7 kids. A $3 mailing charge will be assessed if you want your T–shirts and packets mailed in advance, instead of picking them up the day of the ride.
The Center will open at 7 a.m. with coffee and registration. Riders will be starting at staggered times depending on the length of their ride. All
riders should start no later than 10 a.m. Closing time will be 2 p.m.
For those not familiar with the southeastern part of Wisconsin, Newburg is located along Highway 33 just west of Saukville, enroute to West Bend. When approaching the hamlet on Hwy. 33, turn north on County Highway Y, then follow County Y (a slight right turn) to Riveredge Nature Center – signs will show the way.
For complete details and reservations contact Riveredge Nature Center;
P.O. Box 26; Newburg, WI 53060; 262/375–2715 (metro) or 262/675–6888 (local); www.riveredge.us
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