The 2024 Sandhill Crane Bicycle Tour will take place on March 23rd.

The 2024 Sandhill Crane Bicycle Tour will take place on March 23rd.

Like previous years, these rides will be free, self-supported rides consisting of one shorter and one longer paved routes, a gravel route, and a family ride at Stuhr Museum. Other than the family route, the intent of the rides will be to experience the spring migration of the sandhill cranes by bicycle. Cranes can be seen from the roadways along the routes, which will also go past several historic markers.

The gravel and long rides will start at Stuhr Museum around 10:15 a.m. Riders taking the short route will start in Doniphan, but are encouraged to meet with the larger group at Stuhr Museum for a group photo at 9:45 a.m. The family route will tour the Stuhr Museum grounds for about 2 miles on both paved and gravel surfaces. A guide for this ride will share some facts about the cranes and Nebraska pioneers.

This is the 7th year for this ride, which started in 2018 with six riders and has had as many as 75 cyclists during a single tour. Weather in March in Nebraska is unpredictable, and cold and snow may influence the number of participants but are unlikely to cancel the event. 

Registration is encouraged but not required. Questions can be directed to Mike Swanson at bikesandcranes@gmail.com.