Island causeway a fun ride on bike

One of the nicest things about riding a bike over the Antelope Island causeway is it's all on flat ground . . . for about 7 1/2 miles, anyway.

Then it's up to the rider as to just how strenuous the rest of the ride need be. There are hills if riders choose to add more vigorous riding to their day, or there's more flat. It helps to keep in mind, however, that it's 7 1/2 miles back across the causeway and home.

The ride over the Antelope Island causeway is a popular one. Most any day — winter or summer — it's possible to see people pedaling along the shoulder of the road. It's not uncommon to see whole families riding along the roadside.

One benefit of riding during the summer is that the water on both sides of the roadway helps to keep temperatures cooler than they would be inland.

The causeway itself leads to one of Utah's most popular wildlife viewing areas, not to mention one of its most interesting islands.

Once on the island it's possible to ride the paved road along the eastern shoreline to the Fielding Garr Ranch, which has been restored by the Utah Division of Parks and Recreation.

This area of the island is a popular hangout for some of the 700-plus head of buffalo that graze there. Often they're grouped by the hundreds close to the farmhouse.

The ranch holds what was the oldest inhabited home in Utah and a blacksmith shop.

It's likely, too, riders may run into coyotes, mule deer and antelope. It's not very likely that they'll chance upon a Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep, but anything's possible.

Along the causeway itself it's possible to see hundreds of waterfowl. Here again, the island itself is a sanctuary for hundreds of bird species.

At the end of the causeway, where the boating slips are located, there are restrooms available.

An uphill ride will take bikers to the Antelope Island Visitors Center where they can look into the history of the lake and the ranch.

If they ride as far as the ranch, the DPR has started a program this year where employees and volunteers are dressed in the time period of the early pioneers and demonstrate some of the skills of early residents.

Toward the northern end of the island there are 35 miles of trails for hiking, biking and horseback riding. Routine patrols along the trails help to ensure people are not left stranded in the wilderness.

Currently, there are plans to extend the trails into the inner areas of the island. And, there are 75 camping units on the northern tip of the island.

Those who ride the causeway are advised to take enough water.

Directions: Take the Freeport exit off I-15 and continue west to the island entrance. Parking is available there for those who want to bike across the causeway.