Best Rural Activities

Holdrege couple plans mix of bikes and kites for Labor Day Weekend

Looking for something to do this weekend? Why not dust off the old two-wheeler and take it for a spin? Sunrise, sunset, midmorning and late afternoon, bicyclists are pedaling across Nebraska. Exercise enthusiasts, cross country trekkers, bicycle clubs, fund-raisers, racers and lone riders just out to enjoy the day all like the rural Nebraska route. Bikes really are as much fun as you remember, and if it’s been awhile since you’ve been on one, you’ll be amazed at some of the technical advances.

Tim and Bev Rehm of Holdrege, Nebraska are avid bicyclists who take pleasure in riding their road bikes or their tandem in the south central and southwest region of the state because the views and terrain varies.

Rehm says, “We like riding through the rolling hills and being challenged by some of the steep climbs in the canyons. Depending on the day, we map out a trip around a 20- to 50-mile loop so we don’t see the same things coming as going.”

Wind is usually part of the equation in central and southwest Nebraska. Rehm says, “We consider wind our mountains, and when it is brisk, I plan my rides so I’m going out against a head wind and returning with a tail wind.”

Tim and Bev often pedal a tandem bicycle and pull their camping gear in a one- wheel, self-contained trailer. The Rehm’s are planning a biking trip to Callaway, a town approximately 75 miles north of Holdrege, for their annual Kite Flight Festival over the Labor Day weekend. “We will probably get to Elwood Friday evening where we will camp, and then pedal on to Callaway on Saturday,” says Rehm. “We’ll arrive by noon, see the kites, camp overnight, and bicycle back to Holdrege Sunday.”

The Callaway Kite Flight Festival attracts kite-flyers from all across the country every Labor Day Weekend. It’s a colorful spectacle with kites of every size, color and description, and kites and other wind items on sale. Find out more on the Callaway website www.callaway-ne.com.

Tim Rehm associates bicycling in rural Nebraska with a sense of freedom. Bicyclists meet very few vehicles on the roads in the early morning, and he enjoys the wide, unfettered views of the sky and the clouds. Rehm says, “Riding over the high plains, watching the weather and the cloud formations amazes me every time.”

There’s a lot to see in rural Nebraska. You just have to open yourself to the experience.

Guide to country and small town events and entertainment

Fresh, funky, rugged and fun describe what we do for entertainment in Southwest and South Central Nebraska.  Whatever your interests – festivals, rodeos, car shows, marathons, fishing contests, bird watching, carnivals, county fairs, art galleries, theatre or music – you’ll find it happening here. Listed below are links to some of our favorite places to find fun things to do.

Auto racing in McCook.
www.mccookspeedway.com

Events in Alma and Harlan County Lake
www.almaisforyou.com/events.asp

Fishing by Kayakjak in Benkelman
www.kayakjak.com

Graham Gallery of Fine Art in Hastings
www.grahamgallery.com

Horse events and rodeo in McCook
www.kiplingerarena.com

Performing arts and art gallery in Red Cloud
www.willacather.org

Performing arts in Holdrege
www.thetassel.org

Performing arts, art gallery in Minden
www.mindenoperahouse.com

Tri-City Storm semi-pro ice hockey
www.pickmytickets.com

Visit Nebraska Wineries
www.vintagenebraska.org

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