South Bend, Ind. The city of South Bend is filled with history and the Bike Michiana Coalition is trying to get the community to see some of the city’s historic sites.
On Saturday at 8 a.m., families or individuals can take advantage of that opportunity by registering for the Studebaker Bendix Heritage Trail bike ride.
“Normally it’s a driving tour but this is a special day to end bike to work week,” said Evie Kirkwood of St. Joseph County Parks.
Riders will get the opportunity to tour some of the city’s most unique buildings that are not available to tour on a regular basis.
Some of these buildings include the former Bendix Headquarters, now known as Curtis Products, with a tour of the fourth floor that includes Vincent Bendix’s office.
The Studebaker Clubhouse at Bendix Woods County Park will also be open along with St. Paul’s Church built by one of the Studebaker brothers.
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“The unique opportunity is the original Studebaker test track, which is a three mile oval adjacent to Bendix Woods County Park, will be open for bicycles to ride,” said Kirkwood. “This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to ride that track.”
Curtis Products on Bendix Ave. in South Bend and
Bendix Woods County Park in New Carlisle are the two official and mandatory start-points for the ride.
The event is free of charge but the Bike Michiana Coalition is accepting donations that will go towards the purchase of helmets for their Bicycle Safety Classes offered to local youth.
“The funding comes from these kinds of rides and all kinds of people can come out to this,” said Judy Lee of the Bike Michiana Coalition. “That’s what we try to feature. To get biking more aware in our community.”
If you would like to take part in the bike ride you can register here.
You can also register the morning of the event.
