If you haven’t ridden a bicycle since you were a kid, you might want to consider getting back in the saddle seat at the second annual West Windsor Bike Fest on Saturday, May 28.
But watch out: You could get hooked, like event organizer Dan Gerstenhaber, who rode his bike a lot as a child and started riding again five years ago — for fun and for exercise. He bought a “hybrid,” a cross between a road and dirt bike. “The first time I took it out I told my wife that I would be back in a half hour but I loved it so much I didn’t return until after dark that evening,” he says.
This year’s event features a range of bike rides for riders of all levels with the focus on the one-mile Family Fun Ride within Community Park beginning at 10:30 a.m. Registration begins at 10 a.m.
Additional rides for more advanced riders take place on marked routes with food and water stops on the way. Participants will receive cue sheets or maps. All participants must wear an approved helmet while riding.
A 10-mile “Town Historical Tour” leads riders to various historical houses in the township, detailing their historical significance with a map. Register at 9:30 a.m. and start at 10 a.m.
An 18-mile “Park to Park” ride goes from Community to Mercer County parks — and back. Register at 8:30 a.m. and start at 9:30 a.m.
The “Five Town” ride includes a grand tour through Edinburg, Dutch Neck, Grovers Mill, Berrien City, and Penns Neck, the five historical sections of West Windsor. The 40-mile ride is offered to the most advanced adult cyclists. Register at 7:30 a.m. with an 8 a.m. start time.
West Windsor Police officers will be on site to discuss proper safety signals and appropriate safety gear. A Bike Safety Rodeo takes place from 10 to 11:30 a.m.
This is the second year that Gerstenhaber, a West Windsor resident for 16 years, is planning the event. In 2004 he hoped for 150 people to attend and close to 300 people showed up. “We want this to be a community event that gives people a lot of enjoyment,” he says.
Born and raised on Long Island, Gerstenhaber received his bachelor’s degree from The State University of New York at Binghamton and his master’s in financial planning from NYU. He has been helping people plan for retirement and college tuition with Northwestern Mutual Financial Network Services on Alexander Road for more than 15 years.
His wife, Sherry Sizemore, teaches Chinese at Community Middle School. Their daughter Stephanie, a freshman at Dickinson College, is the photographer for Bike Fest. Another daughter, Brittany, is a sophomore at High School South.
Over the past five years Gerstenhaber has become active in the “underground sport” of cycling. He moved up to a road bike (in the $1,”000 plus range) about two years ago. Gerstenhaber has committed to two rides for Leukemia and Lymphoma Society in the remainder of the year with plans to raise $4,”000 for each. The first one, a 100-mile ride, is at Lake Tahoe on June 5, and the second one is in Tucson. His training has included 67 miles of hilly terrain in Pennsylvania two weeks ago and 75 miles through Pennington and Hopewell last week. This weekend a 100-mile journey is planned.
Other volunteers for Bike Fest include Ken Jacobs, Newell Benedict, Arnold Kelly, Heather Achenback, Daryl McMillan, Ellen Kalman, Ellen Judson, and Andrew Judson.
“Last year we had a marginal positive balance,” says Gerstenhaber. “The dollars raised will be used to promote bicycling in the township including the installation of bike racks at schools, municipal center, and shopping centers. We also want to encourage a bike-friendly environment and install Share the Road signs.”
— Lynn Miller
Bike Fest, West Windsor Township Recreation, West Windsor Community Park, Route 571, 609-799-6141. Saturday, May 28, 7:30 a.m. Raindate is May 29.
Registration is required. For an application visit www.wwparks-recreation.com. All pre-registered participants receive a T-shirt, refreshments, and lunch. Pre-registration fees include $10 for ages 12 and up; $5 under 12. Same day fees are $15 for ages 12 and up; $10 under 12. Participants under the age of 12 must be accompanied by an adult.
