Fairfield Chamber hosting annual loop trail bike ride

FAIRFIELD — The Fairfield Area Chamber of Commerce will hold its second annual Bike Around the Fairfield Loop Trail Annual Fun Ride Saturday morning beginning at Howard Park in Fairfield.

Registration will be from 9-10 a.m. Each paid rider will receive a $5 gift card to be used that day at the Fairfield Farmers Market, conveniently located in Howard Park. Fairfield Area Chamber Executive Director Darien Sloat said the ride began at Waterworks Park last year, but Sloat has been working closely with the farmers market board on ways to collaborate on events, and this seemed like a great opportunity.

“We want to bring out of town folks to come to the market and visit the square so they can look around and do some shopping,” Sloat said.

The Chamber will have short informational stops set up along the nearly 16-mile Fairfield Loop Trail. Each stop will be manned by a guide who will tell riders about a part of Fairfield’s ecosystem and community they might not know. Snacks and water will be available at various places along the trail, too, with SAG wagon support.

The Maasdam Barns on the southern tip of the loop trail will be open for tours. Riders can use their time on the trail to find some of the 10 clues hidden as part of the Jefferson County Trails Council’s annual Scavenger Hunt. Punch cards will be available at the registration table.

About 80 percent of the loop trail is gravel, so riders should bring a bike they feel comfortable riding on gravel.