Bike ride and softball tourney benefit city trails fund

The Columbus Area Trails Fund will benefit from this weekend’s Tina Gray Memorial Bike Ride & Softball Tournament.
The fund has about $114,000 now, but about $60,000 to $80,000 will go to constructing the Pike Avenue Path, according to City Clerk Ron Barndt. Work on the path from Quarry Street to the Columbus Cemetery could begin this fall.
The Tina Gray Memorial weekend begins with an 18-mile long bike ride from Park City to Granite Peak Park in Columbus on Saturday, Aug. 1, organizer Sandy Martinez-Howell said.
The free bike ride will start at the Cenex station at 8 a.m. Riders will take a break about halfway along Highway 10 at the Pinecrest subdivision for snacks and possibly a water balloon skirmish, Martinez-Howell said.
The double-elimination co-ed softball tournament at Granite Park Park for ages 14-and-up will start at 11 a.m. after the bike ride. Cost is $175 per team. The tournament has grown from three teams to nine last year, and players without a team can still play, Martinez-Howell said.
“It’s a laid-back tournament with mom-and-pop teams playing with their kids,” she said.
Teams from Absarokee, Billings and Roundup have shown up, Martinez-Howell said.
“This is a great way to raise awareness of road safety for everyone who likes to walk, bike or run in the Columbus area,” she said.
Tina Gray was killed in 2011 while riding her bike on Highway 10. She was training for a triathlon. She is survived by her husband David and five children, Hayden, Colton, Jack, David and Olivia.
Concession stands will offer Indian tacos, snacks and drinks. Free overnight camping will be available at the ball fields. For more information or to register a team, call (406)322-0845 or (406)321-0271.