It’s fun to eat popsicles on PopCycle Bridge, kids say. Especially after riding their bikes for 3 miles. Red was the hands-down favorite kind last Sunday among kids who made the fairly flat trek to the bridge from America the Beautiful Park along Legacy Loop trail in Colorado Springs.
But really, any flavor will do, said 5-year-old Augie Schneider, who joined his parents and younger brother in the ever-popular Family PopCycle Ride, presented by Kids on Bikes. The nonprofit organization works to “inspire and empower all kids to lead healthy, active and happy lives through bicycling,” with camps, clinics, afterschool programs, school donations and other events. A plush Pikachu, the famous Pokémon character, rode in Augie’s backpack.
After digging around in a cooler the Fountain Creek Watershed District provided, Augie wielded two complimentary popsicles like swords before popping them into his mouth and savoring the sweetness. “Seeing how much joy you can bring is wonderful. It’s so simple, but it continues a tradition that they’ll remember for a long time,” said Mark Yeadon, a Kids on Bikes volunteer.
For the past 12 years, children have slurped rainbow-colored popsicles at the rest stop along an abandoned roadway bridge that was rejuvenated a decade ago and has become a vital connection in the city’s urban trail system. Mark Yeadon looks on as brothers Augie and Sam Schneider pick out their popsicles during Sunday's Family PopCycle Ride to the PopCycle Bri.