Healthy habits begin at home so a family emphasis on fitness can show your kids just how fun it can be to lead a healthy and active lifestyle. The first step is pulling the kids (and you) away from computers and televisions and heading outside. Why not plan a family bike ride? The Santa Ana River watershed boasts a car-free bike path along the river with access at Fairmount Park, Ryan Bonaminio Park and Martha McLean Anza Narrow Park.
Cycling as a family gives you the opportunity to spend quality time together while burning calories. With the cooler autumn temperatures and a well-maintained bike trail, you’ll have so much fun you may not even notice you’re getting a work out! As a bonus, the memories you create on these family bike rides will be remembered by your children for years to come.
A good way to get started are the community bike ride during the Santa Ana River Trail Bike Festival. This family-friendly event is held Sunday, October 14th, 2018 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Ryan Bonaminio Park, 5000 Tequesquite Avenue in Riverside. Vendors and community organizations will provide resources for bike-riders of all ages. A bike safety demonstration will please the parents while an acrobatic BMX showcase will delight the kids.
The family ride, starting from the park and traveling along the Santa Ana River trail, is 4.5 miles roundtrip and offers a safe and healthy opportunity to enjoy the bio-diversity and beauty of the Santa Ana River Watershed. The trail is designed for joggers and cyclists with vehicle traffic off-limits. There will be water refill stations available to fill-up your water bottles along the trail.
The festival is open to all ages and it is a great way to get your kids disconnected from their gaming systems and outdoors exploring the natural world showcased in our watersheds. For more information, or to register for this FREE event, go to www.SARTbikefestival.org.
