Bicycle riders scratched Davis County off their list of places to go several years ago, when the rising waters of the Great Salt Lake inundated the causeway to Antelope Island. But county officials hope to change that with publication of the Davis County Bicycle Trail Guide.
The booklet maps out a 34-mile bike ride traversing the county, from North Salt Lake to Clinton, with some suggested side trips to city parks and other rest stops.The causeway is still under water, and county and state officials acknowledge that it could take several years before it is rehabilitated, once it reappears. But the county, in cooperation with the Golden Spike Empire Travel Council, is going ahead with its promotion.
"Davis County is a natural location for a bicycle trail," the commissioners say in an introduction. "Located in the low foothills, on the edge of the Great Salt Lake, the dedicated path is level, safe, and provides a full panorama of the lake to the west and the Wasatch-Cache National Forest to the east."
Although cyclists in some spots along the designated route will have to contend with traffic, most of the route is through rural or semi-rural areas west of I-15.
No signs have been erected yet to designate the route, said Commissioner Harold Tippetts, who recently urged the mayors of the cities the route traverses to erect markers showing the route, rest stops, parks, refreshment areas and suggested side trips.
Tippetts, along with Golden Spike executive director Lynn Butterfield, is trying to organize a progressive ribbon-cutting ride for June 4. A party of city, county, and travel council officials would cut the first ribbon at the route's start in North Salt Lake's Center Street Park, then progress along the route through the county, snipping a ribbon at each city boundary.
Tippetts also suggested the cities designate routes of their own, adjacent to the county's route, highlighting their own visitor attractions.