Opening Day for Trails is April 8, 2017

This year marks the Rails-To-Trails Conservancy’s fifth annual Opening Day for Trails! On Saturday, April 8, 2017, people across the nation will kick off the spring trail season by hitting their favorite trails for a walk, run, ride or special event. Here are a few of the possibility on the Pumpkinvine Nature Trail, but you might also create an event with family and friends. The point is to get out on a trail and kick off the trail riding-and-walking season. All events are free.

11 a.m. – 2 p.m.     Bike Checks

Chain Reaction Bicycle Project will be at Abshire Park in Goshen to help make sure your bike is ready for the season. CRBP is a non-profit bicycle shop promoting bicycling in the Goshen community and increasing access to bicycles and repairs for people with low income and on work release.

11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.     3.5-mile Group Fitness Walk (round-trip)

Get your heart rate up and meet other walkers on this brisk walk between Abshire Park and County Road 28. The group will be led by Vivian Schmucker, local marathon walker. Meet at Abshire Park in Goshen.

2:15 p.m.     10-mile Group Bike and Dine (one-way, Goshen to Middlebury)

Join other cyclists on a ride to 41 Degrees North Restaurant and Bar in Middlebury. The ride is mostly on trail but does include 1.5 miles on county roads where the Pumpkinvine is not yet connected, as well as some local roads in Middlebury. Andrea Milne, local biking and walking advocate, will lead the group. Meet at Abshire Park in Goshen. Enjoy food and drinks with friends at the restaurant, and then meet up with Middlebury-to-Goshen riders at 4:30 p.m.

3* – 4:30 p.m.     Wildflower Hike 

Join John Smith, local amateur naturalist and native plant enthusiast, on a search for the first blooming native wildflowers of spring. The hike will begin at 3 p.m. at the intersection of the trail with County Road 33 and will explore the natural hardwood forest between trail mile markers 4.0 and 5.0. There are no parking spots at the County Road 33 trailhead. Two suggested ways to arrive include: 

·       Meet at 2:15 p.m. at Abshire Park in Goshen for a 5-mile group bike ride to the site. 

·       Meet at 2:45 p.m. at the County Road 35 parking lot on the Pumpkinvine Trail to carpool.

4:30 p.m.     12-mile Group Bike and Dine (one-way, Middlebury to Goshen)

Join other cyclists on a ride to Goshen Brewing Company. The ride is mostly on trail, but does include 1.5 miles on county roads where the Pumpkinvine is not yet connected, as well as some local roads in Goshen. Spencer and Brittany Short, owners of Pumpkinvine Cyclery, will lead the group. Meet at Pumpkinvine Cyclery, 413 N Main St, Middlebury. Enjoy food and drinks with friends at the restaurant.

Share how you plan to celebrate and explore trails on Opening Day with us on social media using #RTCOpeningDay!

For more information about Opening Day for Trails, visit http://www.railstotrails.org/opening-day-for-trails/