Cyclepalooza brings 10 days of bike-filled festivities to Calgary
Want to learn how to play bike polo? How about discovering Calgary’s hidden swimming holes via a cycling tour? Just looking to understand how to fix your bike? If so, Cyclepalooza is the event for you.
Now in its seventh year, Cyclepalooza (July 14-23) is composed of about 25 bike-themed activities organized by volunteers trying to bring people together through biking and to demonstrate the positive impact cyclists can have on their communities. Initially somewhat overshadowed by Stampede, it’s now in full swing.
“Cyclepalooza is going really, really good,” said steering committee member Evan Neilsen.
“We’ve increased the number of rides and we have a wider variety of events than in previous years.”
On Saturday afternoon, about two dozen people went on a bike tour of southeast Calgary breweries, sampling local ales from Village Brewery, Banded Peak Brewing and Annex Ale Project.
On Monday night a group headed out to explore outdoor swimming spots on Calgary’s rivers.
Most events are free, but the swimming spots ride asked for a waiver to be signed, and the brewery ride asked people to cover the cost of their own drinks.
Upcoming events include a legacy prohibition brewery tour, a mothers and babies ride (billed as a “Mummas and bubbas ride”), and “newbie night” at Calgary Bike Polo. Usually, participants play a more advanced polo game each week, but this Wednesday night all are encouraged to come to Inglewood Community Association for some lighthearted fun.
One of the most highly anticipated
We’ve increased the number of rides and we have a wider variety of events …
events is Bike Prom, held on Saturday this year.
Attendees are encouraged to show up in formal wear and park their bikes outside. Dancing is encouraged, although usually on two feet, not two wheels.
“Our headline event is bike prom,” said Neilsen.
“If we’re able to get a big turn out for that, it’ll be a good measure of our success. Overall though, trying to engage with our community is the big goal and that’s already going really well.”