MARIETTA - We've heard of politicians backpedaling, but in Marietta, some will just be pedaling.

Marietta Mayor Bill Dunaway and Cobb Chairman Sam Olens will be the inaugural bicyclists to ride the new trail in Burruss Nature Park on Aug. 23.

Dunaway, 70, issued an off-the-cuff challenge to Olens, 52, during Wednesday night's City Council meeting, and followed it up with a formal invite Thursday morning.

"For the past few years, I have heard references from you about how much younger you are than me. You are invited to go bike riding on Sunday the 23rd, to Burruss Park at 2 p.m. for our inaugural bike riding. If you can't keep up with me, then you will donate $100 to a charity of my choice. If I can't keep up with you, then I will donate $100 to a charity of your choice (probably something to do with an Attorney General's race)," Dunaway wrote in an e-mail. "You can't substitute one of your younger, better-looking, more in shape, fellow commissioners, but they are invited also."

He added in a snarky P.S.: "Let me know whether or not your bike will need trainer wheels."

Olens said he first learned of the challenge when he read it in Thursday's Journal. "Glad that's the big issue in the city!" he told the Journal. And although he admits he hasn't ridden a bike in two years, he agreed to be a good sport.

Several members of Marietta City Council, including Holly Walquist, Jim King, and Van Pearlberg say they'll take part in the ride.

Cobb Commissioner Bob Ott will be there (though he points out that Olens is the youngest member of the Commission), and Woody Thompson may also be there.

"I'm the oldest member on the board, but I'm one of the few bike riders," Thompson said. "I think it's neat Bill's doing that. I'd be willing to do it. Sounds like a fun thing to do."

The city has recently cleared much of the underbrush at Burruss, which has been the scene of much lurid sexual activity for many years. The trails were already marked, but the city has smoothed down the dirt to make the three trails more suitable for family bike riders.

Mayor Dunaway said members of the Al Burruss family, for whom the park is named, would be at the event on Aug. 23.

The trails range from two-tenths of a mile to four-tenths of a mile in length, though Dunaway said he's not sure how far he and Olens would ride.

"I'm pretty sure Sam and I will reach some mutual agreement," he said.

Both men also made a promise: no spandex.