Expanded BikeColumbus Coming in July

Image by BikeColumbus Festival 

Columbus's official bicycle festival is right around the corner, with the approach of the BikeColumbus Festival 2010.  The 3rd annual offering has been expanded for this year and includes some great new events to make cyclists of every type sit up in the saddle and take notice.

The first event for this year is the Friday, July 16th  Mayor's Twilight Tour.  Starting and ending at Crew Stadium, you'll have a choice of a 20- or 9-mile loop that will loop through Clintonville, OSU Campus, Downtown, and feature a rest stop at McFerson Commons in the Arena District.  The festivities start at 6:00 pm and the ride will take off at 8:00.  Cost of the Ride is $25.00, which can be paid in advance (registration is online).  Registration for the ride also gets you a ticket to the Crew's August 28th game versus Dallas!  Bring a light - or get one at...

...the second event of the festival: the Ineeda Bike Swap. Also at Crew Stadium's VIP tent (west side of the stadium), the Bike Swap starts at 3:00 pm on Friday, July 16th, and goes till 7:00 pm.  Bike Vendors from all over the area are invited to come in and share their wares at this event.  There is still space for more vendors if you're interested, registration is online.  The price of admission to this event is $5.00 for patrons 13 and over, kids 12 and under get in free!  Swaps are generally for cash only, unless individual vendors are willing to take checks.  An ATM will be on site.

The third event for the festival is the Steve Barbour Memorial Tour.  In honor of the local bicycling advocate and enthusiast who was killed by a motorist last year, this fully supported ride will take place on Saturday, July 17th, with distances of 50, 100, 150, and 200 kilometers (with staggered start times).  Pre-ride check-in is at McFerson Commons in the Arena District from 7:00-9:00.  The $25.00 Registration is online, and funds will go to help Columbus Outdoor Pursuits and Consider Biking's Steve Barbour Memorial Fund.

The final event of the festival doesn't take place till August 1st, but it's sure to be an exciting one: the Garrett Wonders Criterium.  In honor of an aspiring Olympic cyclist who was run down by a car during a training ride, this Criterium race will be run downtown along the Riverfront and turn downtown into a race track!  Not to be missed, criterium races are always an exciting event for everyone.  Athletes who'd like to participate can register online for various skill and ability levels - including a free kids' race!

Consider Biking and the Mayor's office are putting a lot of work into this great event, please come out and support better transportation for Columbus!  


People, not speed.