Warm Pedal the Prairie gets cyclists out among the wildlife

PRAIRIE CITY — It may have been on the hotter side of warm for the fourth annual Pedal the Prairie event but that didn’t stop cyclists from taking in the beautiful scenery available on the ride Saturday.

Whether taking off from the Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge or the entryway to Prairie City, cyclists had a clear, sunny day to enjoy the Prairie Parkway bike trail.

The 10-mile ride brought cyclists from across the state and beyond along the winding roadway with views of the restored prairie. Unlike any other ride, bikers had the chance to potentially see bison, elk and countless number of prairie wildlife at the refuge while traveling on their bikes.

“We did the ride three years ago, then we hadn’t been able to do it for a couple of years so we really wanted to it this year,” Alisha Lundberg of Des Moines said. “We love seeing the buffalo and the wildflowers.”

Lundberg hit the trail along with her husband and two-year-old daughter, who was along for her first ride and visit to the visitor’s center at the wildlife refuge. Armed with food, books, toys and water, the couple and their daughter were ready for an enjoyable morning.

“I love, instead of driving through, just riding through the prairie,” Lundberg said. “It is just so neat to see so many different people and kids.”

Kids and adults of all ages took to the route with some even setting off “seed bombs” along the way. The “seed bombs” were provided by the refuge and gave the cyclists the opportunity to throw seed into the prairie to help continue the growth of the prairie at the refuge.

While the route had beautiful scenery it did provide a challenge as cyclists made their way up the winding hill shortly after leaving the refuge. One cyclist was heard providing encouragement of “We made it, we made it!” after reaching the peak during the ride. Others enjoyed the breeze on the glide down, even though they knew it would be an uphill battle on the ride back.

Pedal the Prairie has enjoyed mostly sunny weather with the lone rainy day coming during the second year of the event. The annual ride has become a way to not only get hundreds of people out exercising but also learning about the refuge and everything it has to offer.

Contact Jamee A. Pierson at 641-792-3121 ext. 6534 or jpierson@newtondailynews.com