Trail of Two Cities rolling back into Glendale, Peoria

Strap on your bicycle helmets for the third annual A Trail of Two Cities event, which promotes bike riding.

About 200 riders are expected to pedal the 10-mile course from Peoria to Glendale and back, according to Brandon Forrey, Peoria transportation planning engineer. Last year, the event, hosted by Glendale and Peoria, attracted 125 participants.

Forrey said organizers decided against lengthening the course this year due to a stretch of unpaved roadway on the Arizona Canal Diversion Channel, which could prove problematic for road bikes.

"We want to ensure that the ride accommodated all types of bikes," Forrey said. "Aside from that, if the route crossed the border into Phoenix, we would have to call the ride A Trail of Three Cities, which ruins the play on words reference to the 1859 Charles Dickens classic."

The course starts at the Peoria Sports Complex on 83rd Avenue south of Bell Road, travels down the Paseo Verde Trail along the ACDC, heads north along 63rd Avenue to the Skunk Creek Trail and returns to the Sports Complex.

Forrey said both cities have decided to keep the route until major gaps are filled along the New River Trail, which is expected to happen around 2010 or 2011.

"When the gaps are closed, we would like to start at University of Phoenix Stadium and take the route to Rio Vista Park with the option to go even farther north," Forrey said. "Eventually, the New River Trail will connect to the trail along the Central Arizona Project."

Forrey suggested riders register for the ride as soon as possible to ensure there are enough T-shirts for everyone.