Dear Editor:
One year ago, I rediscovered a sport that has taken me back to my childhood; back to a simpler time. It is a sport for all ages and abilities. It is a sport that will challenge you. It is a sport that will get you outside breathing fresh air. The sport is bicycling. There are many types of bikes to fit many needs: work, transportation, and recreation. From BMX and cruisers, gravel and road, mountain and trails, to hunting and electric, there is something for everyone!
I randomly bought an electric bike on my 49th birthday and had the time of my life riding and exploring places in and around Minden that I have never seen before. I started riding my bike to church, to the grocery store, to friends houses, and on trails that I discovered just minutes away. Come to find out, Minden has a ton to offer to the bicycling community and has for many years, it just hasn’t been publicized or promoted. Minden has a rich history with bicycling going back to the 1970’s. Tens of thousands of miles have been ridden over the years in Webster, so much that we have a road called Bicycle Road!
Most people don’t know, but we have gravel cyclists that drive from Shreveport to Minden several times a week to ride our amazing gravel roads in the Kisatchie Forest. We probably have 20 miles in total if you put our gravel roads together. Gravel riding is becoming increasingly more popular because it’s a safe place with fewer obstacles where you don’t have to worry about vehicles passing you, with the added bonus of being closer to nature and wildlife.
Another lesser known fact about Minden’s bicycling is, there are about 12 miles of cross country style mountain bike trails at Caney Lake. The trails range from beginner to advanced. They have been built and maintained by local volunteers, chief of which is Minden’s grandfather of mountain biking, Don Hunter.
When I am out riding the roads, gravel, or trails, I often think how great this sport is for kids and their family. It will get them off their electronic devices, outside and interacting with others. A family of four in Minden have recently taken up the sport, and often take trips to Lincoln Parish Park to ride the new flow trails. The 3 & 5 year old boys love riding the down hill, fast and flowy trails on their strider bikes (balance bikes without pedals). Since picking up this great hobby, they have seen their boys’ confidence soar.
There is a bike movement going on in America right now and it has made its way to the South. The Walmart heirs have put a ton of work into building the biking community in Arkansas, to the point that Bentonville is the self proclaimed “Mountain Bike Capital of the World!” But, they did not stop there. A quick internet search of mountain biking in Arkansas will reveal the growing popularity in bike trails all across Arkansas. That growth in popularity is trickling down to Louisiana. Bogue Chitto State Park in Franklinton, Louisiana has done some amazing things with mountain biking; our neighbors in Ruston have added a mountain bike hub and 5 new flow trails; our other neighbors in Caddo have started their 1North Adventure Trails project; and Lake Charles recently announced their plans to develop and invest into biking down there.
Minden has amazing bike assets! We just need more locals to experience them, promote them, and expand them! Bicyclists love to travel and ride new stuff. From the opening on June 13, 2024 to September 30, 2024, the Benton Bike Park in Benton, Arkansas has seen an average of 450 visitors per week from 9 different states and 57 cities. This is just that they know of! I see bike tourists coming to our small town, staying at our hotels and Airbnb’s, eating at our restaurants, visiting our shops, riding our trails, roads, and gravel, going home and telling their friends how great a time they had in Minden.
Bicycling has many benefits. One benefit being health. There is a ton of research showing where biking lowers stress, contributes to weight loss, lower blood pressure, and many more! Another benefit is quality of life. This is something that families can do together building memories and strengthening family bonds. It builds confidence, risk management, and resilience, which are transferable to all parts of life. It provides an opportunity to unplug, get outside, breath fresh air, and soak up the sun! The last benefit I’m going to talk about is that it’s fun! It really brings you back to a time of freedom and excitement.
What can bicycling do for you? We have a small but growing group of bike enthusiasts in Minden, who would love to help you and your family get involved. We have plenty of bikes: electric, road, gravel, BMX, and mountain/trail for you to come out and see what it’s about, and if we are lucky, you will fall in love with it too! If you are interested in knowing more, follow the Bike Minden page on Facebook or reach out to me, Devin Martin. Let’s Ride!
Devin Martin
Minden, La.