Mahncke Park Neighborhood

Bike Bash Bombs, Big Time

Oct 17, 2004

Rob Kane, a bicycling enthusiast, thought it'd be great to have a bike race through the wildscape of our neighborhood park. He had passed by the park on some of his many bike trips. If you've ever seen it on ESPN, his proposed cyclocross championship style is rough and a genuine thrill to see. His plan described how bikers would wind their way through the heart of the park, our neighborhood greenbelt, blazing a trail through trail-less land. The course would have been designed in such a way that the contestants would have to, at times, dismount and carry their bikes around and over obstacles, striving to match endurance, strength, and ability with the technically difficult course. Additionally, there was to be a swap area where bike enthusiasts could trade or sell items related to their sport.

Some residents, including at least one member of the MPNA board, supported his plan, feeling that any damage to the park would likely be at a minimum and could be recitified.

However, his presentation at the September general meeting didn't sway most resident attendees. Most were concerned about lasting damage that could be done to the park. Mr. Kane admitted that if the ground had been softened up by rains previous to, or during the race (both being worst-case scenarios), deep ruts would occur. Yet, even without the rains, environmental damage, to the land and to the plants, couldn't be avoided. To his credit, Mr. Kane stated that he'd be willing to help repair damage to the park. But MP residents, understandably passionate in their feelings about the beloved little park, quickly and vociferously made their opinions known; no race as initally proposed.

Currently, Mr. Kane is working toward modifying his plans so that a bike race could possibly occur in the neighborhood without going through the park. Though not a sure thing, most residents and MPNA board members who weighed in on this issue through emails or at the general meeting supported this latter type of race course.