Bike Fest ready to roll here
Chain greased, tires pumped, shifters tuned, helmet on — let’s roll!
After months of planning and preparation, BikeBridge Cycling Association is very proud to present the first-ever Lethbridge Bike Fest. Events are already in full swing and between now and June 3, there’s something happening nearly every day that will give you a great excuse to get out and pedal.
To really get #YQLBikeFest rolling in a big way, the Bike Boulevard Grand Opening will take place this Sunday, May 26 starting at 2 p.m. After months of construction and a brutal winter, all aspects of this great new piece of cycling infrastructure are finally complete and it’s been great to see lots of riders out already using it this spring. Now it’s time to celebrate some success for this first phase of the Cycling Master Plan, with a large group ride that goes from 21st Street down 7th Avenue to London Road Park, where the first 125 cyclists will score free ice cream to cap off the ride.
One of the best parts of organizing #YQLBikeFest has been the eagerness of all the local bike clubs to get involved, with each one putting on their own special event next week. On Monday, May 28 at 6:30 p.m., meet up with Headwinds Cycling Club at Coulee Brew Co for a 40-km group ride — spandex optional. Lethbridge Area Cycle Association is hosting a female-only mountain bike skills session on Tuesday, May 29 at 6 p.m. (meet at the Lethbridge College parking lot N), and to cap off the whole week, Sunday, June 3 is BMX Day in Alberta, with free rides on their awesome track.
We’re also very excited to bring back another Bike In Film Night to Galt Gardens on Wednesday, May 30 at 6:30 p.m. Presented by our amazing sponsors PixelBoom Media, there’s a great line-up of family-friendly films that will be shown in the park, with free popcorn and good times for all ages. Ride your bike and bring a blanket to get cozy on the grass, with lots of prize giveaways all night and other community partners on hand to round out the event.
Another familyfriendly event is the Bicycle Scavenger Hunt and BBQ on Friday, June 1 from 4:30-7:30 p.m at Henderson Lake. Bring the kids and take an adventure around the lake to find the answers to our skill-testing clues and win a variety of prizes from the awesome folks at Ascent Cycle. We’ve got free food (with vegetarian options, too) to keep you charged up as well, so come make some new bike buddies at this relaxed social event in the park.
Even if you don’t ride a bike, there’s relaxed indoor events like the Tuesday Night Film Screening at the Lethbridge Public Library Crossings Branch, with the wacky classic “Pee Wee’s Big Adventure” being shown on Tuesday, May 29 at 7 p.m.
Of course, you can find all the details and more at www.yqlbikefest.ca and by following #YQLBikeFest online. Join us and celebrate the beauty of the bicycle!