Events Extra Info

- Sponsor Ales for Trails
- 2011 Bike Walk Bus Week
- What Can Trails Do for You?
    - Questionnaire
- 2009-2010 Annual Report

Past Event Highlights

- Magic City Trail Trek 2010
- Bike Walk Bus Week 2010
- Trail Census Results 2011
- Trail Census Results 2009
- Trail Census Results 2007

BikeNet Newsletter

Upcoming Events

Recent Past Events

BikeNet Presents: Promoting an Active Community About 80 enthusiastic trail and bikeway supporters gathered in the Mansfield Center on May 10 to hear how an active community benefits Billings and everyone who lives here. Panelists included John Brewer from the Billings Chamber of Commerce, Laura Holmlund of Healthy by Design, Mayor Tom Hanel, Kathy Aragon of Safe Routes to School and BikeNet President Nash Emrich. The BikeNet 2009-2010 Annual Report was available and a questionnaire gave attendees the chance to give their input on BikeNet's goals for the future and indicate how they would like to be involved. Fabulous door prizes and refreshments were enjoyed by all. A June action planning session is being scheduled to bring together ideas and set priorities. It's not too late to give your input. Click on the questionnaire link and send us your comments by mail (PO Box 81146, Billings, MT 59108) or email.

Magic City TRAIL TREK 2010

The fourth annual Magic City Trail Trek was held Sunday, June 6, 2010 at the Public Utilities Park along the Yellowstone River. Trail Trek, started by the “Go Play” trail campaign, promotes a healthier community by encouraging use of the trail system in Billings. Despite some rain during set up and a few additional showers during registration, it turned out to be a great event weather-wise and otherwise.

Spur of the Moment Band chased away the rain with bluegrass during registration. As the clouds lifted and the sun peeked out, everyone took off biking, walking, pushing strollers or traversing the trails in whatever manner they enjoyed. Chris and Cheryl Cook led the way on bikes with a group of kids that made it all the way to Mary’s Street before heading back.

Singing and music was provided along the way by Doug Nagel (opera singing), Ryan Kabeary and friend (guitar and singing up in the tree), Kris and Scott Prinzing, (guitar and singing by Coulson Park) and Russell Engesser (accordion at our refreshment break by the Lockwood Bridge). Mary and Walt Peet served oranges and bananas at the rest stop and everyone got a chance to watch the debris floating down the swollen Yellowstone River.

Back at the park, Bistro Enzo had hamburgers cooking on the grill and they were oh so good with all the fixings. Wendy’s chili really hit the spot too with the cool weather. We had over 170 people join us for the barbecue plus all the entertainers and even some of the volunteers on the new Billings Police Department bike patrol. Dan Page and the Barn Cats rocked out at the barbecue.

Rounding out the event was the raffle drawing for great prizes including a mountain bike from The Spoke Shop, a cruising bike from Montana Cycling and Dan Austin (Austin Lehman Adventures), a bike helmet from the Bike Shop, a gift certificate, shirt and water bottle from Time Out Sports, two pair of classy tennis shoes from the Base Camp and several gift certificates from Rocket Burritos.

We couldn’t have held the Trail Trek without the generous monetary support from our sponsors St. Vincent Healthcare, RiverStone Health, Yellowstone Surgery Center and Billings Clinic. We also appreciate the City of Billings hosting the event and providing the great park location by Public Utilities, table and chairs from the Community Center and administrative support.

Then of course, there were all our trusty volunteers who moved tables and chairs, set up tents, provided power, helped with registration and greeted participants and then took it all down again. Hope we didn’t miss anyone, but the volunteer list includes Mary & Walt Peet, Sandy & Bill Anderson, Jim Collins, Scott Krauszer, Kaitlin Hopkins, Deb Goffena, Alan Patterson, Anthony Harrington, Merry Ann Peters, Kelly Bustell, Deb Magilke, Marilyn Tapia and Dustin, Kristi Drake, Jenny McCullough, Paul and Sue Reitz, Laura Estes, Tina and Ed Whitfield, Mary Jo Johnson, Robin Hanel, and Adam Schaffe. Last but not least, a special thanks to our co-chairs of the event who planned it all …..Kathy Aragon, Stella Fong and Darlene Tussing…..Thanks to ALL.

Sunset Hike in Historic, Natural Swords Park - May 19, 2010

It was a perfect evening May 19th for a hike through Swords Park during Bike, Walk, Bus Week. Kevin Kooistra-Manning, community historian of the Western Heritage Center, and Carolyn Sevier, program director and naturalist, from Rim Country Land Institute led us through the historical and natural wonders in the park. We hiked along the roadway and trails to overlook Skeleton Cliff where Kevin read and shared with us some of the history of the Crow tribe and the young community of Billings. We also hiked up to Yellowstone Kelly’s grave to hear the stories and see from this vantage point the Yellowstone River Valley and the mountains in the horizon. Along the way, we had a lot of opportunity for Carolyn to share with us information on the formation of the land and the different types of vegetation that are common to the area. Carolyn is very knowledgeable as to how some of these plants were used by the Indians and early settlers. There were a number of wildflowers blooming which added to the beauty of the land and to our hike. Darlene Tussing also shared future plans for trail connections along the eastern portion of the park and a linkage to the new underpasses. It was a great evening to get out and walk and fill our minds with our history and natural wonders. A special thanks to Kevin and Carolyn.

DR. JEAN ELLIS SHARE THE ROAD SIGN DEDICATION
May 17, 2010 (Bike, Walk, Bus Week)

We had great weather for the start of Bike, Walk, Bus Week May 17th and celebrated with a dedication of the Share the Road signs that have been placed out along the Molt Road corridor from 54th and Rimrock to Popelka Lane.  Currently the bike trail along Rimrock starts at Shiloh and ends at 54th where the road actually narrows, so the signs are a good reminder to motorists that bicyclists may be sharing the road. 

A good crowd gathered to hear Mayor Hanel, MDT District Administrator Stefan Streeter, and Billings City Commissioner Kennedy speak about the policy and collaborative effort to sign the road. The signs were paid for by the Dr. Jean Ellis memorial fund and we were pleased that his wife and mother could join us for the event. Dr. Ellis was an avid biker and died 4 years ago from a heart attack while biking in the Billings area. Dr. Chuck Aragon who was a friend and biking companion, spoke to the crowd about Dr. Ellis and displayed the memorial sign that would be mounted on the Share the Road signs in his honor.  Afterwards, the Chamber Trail Blazers provided the official ribbon cutting and there were treats from Costco and some time to socialize.