Care For Cowtown Air

October 28, 2007

The Care for Cowtown Bike Rally (aka Clean Air for Cowtown Bike Rally) is a free, friendly, family-oriented bike ride through some of the historic areas in Fort Worth. The pace is held to about 10 to 15mph and is led by Fort Worth Police. The route is mostly flat with a couple of "good hills". The first hill is the crossover from University onto Northside Drive at Hwy 199. The next big climb is the North Main Street bridge that takes you past the old power plant near Heritage Park. The route winds through the Botanic Gardens, Cultural District, Camp Bowie Blvd, Stockyards Area and back through Downtown Ft Worth to Trinity Park. Although it's a meager 12 mile route, it can be challenging for the beginning cyclist who's not quite in shape, yet. The entire riding group is "rounded up" as soon as they reach the Stockyards. You wait for the rest of the pack to catch up, then start again down North Main for the final stint of the ride. This year, there were about 300 riders in attendance. Several vendors and sponsors were on-hand with a fair amount of "freebies" for the kids and families. Overall, it's a good short ride with a focus on family and alternative modes of transportation around the city. The support is excellent and the organizers make sure the pace doesn't get out of hand.

April 22, 20005

This was my first year riding this free bike rally. The ride was a 15 mile "leisurely" ride along the Trinity Trail from Downtown Fort Worth to Gateway Park and back. The FW Police Bike Patrol kept the pace on the way out to the rest stop at Gateway. (If you tried  to pass them, they'd get their lassos ready to pull you back in.)  When we arrived, there was lots of cold water to drink (but absolutely NO BEER).  I didn't notice any snacks there, but, there might've been some, I guess. Before heading back we had to wait..and wait.. and wait for the back of the long, drawnout pack to reach the park. After a while, the "sag van" (full of cramped up, stiff "cyclists") showed up. One of the Police Officers (woke us up from our naps) announced that sprinters would be allowed to go first. It was fun pouring on the power for a meager 7 miles against the ungodley, stiff, 32mph North Wind going back to Downtown. Free beverages were available when you returned to town (but, still NO FREE BEER). The band was very (loud)good and everyone seemed (deaf) to have a good time.  Be forewarned however, that the route is extremely challenging with all its killer, leg-burning, oxygen depleting climbs. The white-knuckled, teeth-gritting descents leave you gasping, breathless and praying for level ground. Yeah, you might THINK it looks mostly flat with a couple of mild rises here and there, but it's not!!  Beware !  Beware !   

April 23, 2004

This is always a fun ride of 13 miles led by mounted bicycle police. It is leisurely and unhurried and attracts a wide range of cyclists. The rest stops are well stocked and riders stand around and chat. Although the route goes along the Trinity Trail, near the end it turns onto North Main Street. The group has a marked off lane of Main Street where the riders go south to downtown Fort Worth. This isn't much of a hill---it's more of a long incline to the old Court House and beyond where the finish line is at the festival downtown. The ride is free and includes a tee shirt.

April 25, 2003

12 plus miles of easy going, stay together, bring the kids. Bicycle Police led, 5 or 6 police , bike mounted to assist, two bike mounted EMT's riding drag. Rest stops every 3+ miles. A leisurely stroll along the Trinity River Trail. One good hill near the end. Lots of free goodies in the bag and at the end. Be sure and pre-register (its free) to get the T-shirt. A short fun ride.