Exercise Your Body And Mind At Bikeabout 2012

Did you know bicycling has been linked to improved mental health? Come exercise your mind and body at the 12th annual Columbia BikeAbout on Saturday, September 15, starting between 9:30 and 10:30 a.m. at the Downtown Columbia Lakefront.

BikeAbout is a 13-mile, history-filled journey through Columbia. Participants will experience a self-paced ride that uses Columbia’s pathways and street connections where necessary.

Features on this year’s BikeAbout will include:

• Blandair Park: Phase 1 is open — what’s next?
• Woodlawn Slave Quarters: CA’s sensitive restoration helps interpret Howard County history
• Oakland Ridge Industrial Park: Columbia’s first industrial area has become a hidden marketplace
• Thunder Hill: From Sleeping Dog Lane to Soaring Hill, the story behind the street names
• Jackson Pond: From farm pond, to experimental storm water retention, to neighborhood amenity
• Symphony Woods and downtown redevelopment: Past, present and future

Here are three reasons why you should participate in BikeAbout 2012:

1. Great exercise. Biking helps improve cardiovascular fitness and burns off calories. Not to mention, it has been linked to improved mental health (as mentioned above)
2. It’s a fun history lesson. There is so much history in your own backyard. Learn about the history of Columbia in areas including Oakland Ridge Industrial (Columbia’s first industrial area), Jackson Pond, Symphony Woods and more.
3. Save gas. Why drive around Columbia when you can ride your bike? Let’s face it, gas isn’t cheap anymore. Save your gas.

Pre-registration for the BikeAbout is encouraged. Registration can be done online at Bikeabout.eventbrite.com/. Online registration ends September 13.

Columbia BikeAbout is hosted by Columbia Archives. For more information, go toColumbiaArchives.org, email Columbia.Archives@ColumbiaAssociation.org or call 410-715-6781.