COLLINS – Cyclists from across the state of Iowa gathered early Saturday morning in Slater to ride new paved bike trails connecting the towns of Slater, Huxley, Cambridge, Maxwell and Collins.
The project taken on by Story County Conservation follows a 32-mile paved trail along the former Milwaukee Railroad with the goal of connecting now dormant railroad towns.
Out with the old, in with the new.
The Milwaukee railroad once connected parts of Slater, Huxley, Cambridge, Collins and Maxwell. Its influence spanned parts of Wisconsin and Iowa before shutting down in 1977.
According to Collins Mayor Brett Comegys, the trails are all part of preserving the history that Collins has to offer.
“The trails connecting Story County are a way of recycling the old and preserving the heritage,” Mayor Comegys said. “We want to showcase our history while giving people a way to enjoy something new.”
Cycling isn’t just for Iowans. It’s for everyone.
According to a press release from the Iowa Bicycle Coalition, over 29,000 Story County residents are involved in cycling to some degree. The completion of the trails is estimated to bring in $42 million in annual revenue.
“Providing for the riders is a large part of what this is about,” Huxley Administrator David Haugland said. “We’re here to bring cyclists together and show them what Iowa is all about.”
Representatives from Cambridge, Maxwell and Collins also came out to provide snacks and refreshments to riders. According to them, it’s all about hospitality.
“We welcome people from all over the place,” Jennifer Day, a co-chair of the Parks and Cemetary Department from Cambridge, said. “It all goes back to the ‘Iowa Kind’ motto and taking care of the people around you.”
Trails bring revenue. Revenue drives small businesses.
Saturday’s event saw turnouts from vendors of all kinds. One business in particular, Mom’s Maxwell, opened its patio for live music and entertainment.
“Events like this are great for small town businesses,” Mom’s employee Kay Munneke said. “A lot of it is getting people to know where we are. I want people to know that the people of Maxwell are friendly and that small town Iowa is full of cute, nice little places.”
According to Munneke, preparation for such an event is not easy. Business hours often change, and not everything is known ahead of time.
“We had to do a lot of research going into today,” Munneke said. “You learn a lot about what cyclists like, and make sure we can deliver when they come through.”
Mom’s Maxwell also partnered with Starbucks in Nevada to bring ice cream, something Munneke said “everybody likes.”
“When it’s hot outside and you’ve been pedaling all day, why not go for some ice cream?” Munneke said. “It’s something that people can get excited about.”
What riders in Story County can expect
Members of Story County Conservation spoke ahead of Saturday’s ribbon cutting, promising safe recreation for years to come.
“One of my favorite things about bike rides are the people you meet along the way,” Luke Hoffman, a spokesman with the Iowa Bicycle Coalition, said. “The trails offer us a sense of adventure and childlike wonder, and the stories we will someday tell our children.”
Mayor Comegys ended Saturday’s speech with one promise, to make Collins and the rest of small town Iowa somewhere that locals can be proud of.
“We’ve brought life back to this town,” Comegys said. “That’s the goal for years to come as efforts are continued across the state.”
