Get in Gear for Bike Week 2017
Wednesday, May 31, 2017
Katy Macek | VolumeOne
pedal-powered events include baseball, brewery rides
Biking is more than a mode of transportation. It's a way to explore and connect with the community, and also take things a little easier on the environment.
That's what Jeremy Gragert, a local bike advocate and former volunteer for the Wisconsin Bike Federation, believes. And that's what Bike Week, June 5-12, is all about.
"The bicycle has a unique power to empower people and open up possibilities in a way that's affordable and doesn't endanger others on the road or impact climate change," Gragert said. "It can actually be a healing mechanism for cities."
The Wisconsin Bike Federation coordinates Bike Week in cities throughout the state each year, and this year Altoona is joining in on the events.
Gragert said the events are designed to show people how accessible and easy biking is. Some of them incorporate things that are already happening in the area, such as biking to the Eau Claire Express game at 5:30pm on Wednesday, June 7. People simply show up at the specified location and bike to the event together.
"It's not a long ride, but it's a way to support local events and show they could bike to these things all summer," Gragert said. "It's a social thing in many ways and a way to appreciate one's community."
Unlike driving, biking offers a mode of transportation that doesn't take up a lot of space, is affordable, and allows riders to slow down and enjoy the community as well as connect with others.
All of the events are free and open to the public, a testament to the activity.
"That just shows how accessible biking is, it doesn't cost us anything to fund most of these," he said.
After a storm cancelled his favorite event last year, Gragert is looking forward to Bikes, Bridges & Brews on Friday, June 9. The group bikes a route including many bridges and ends at either The Brewing Projekt or Lazy Monk Brewing.
But mostly, he's just excited to share with the community what biking is all about. While he considers Eau Claire a bike-friendly city, he said routes can be confusing if you're new to the area. "There are really great ways to bike around town … but you really have to know what you're doing," Gragert said.
Gragert, who helped create Bike Chippewa Valley, a loosely organized group of bike advocates, also helped create the Chippewa Valley Bike Map in 2015. The free publication shows the safest routes for bikers in Eau Claire, Altoona, Lake Hallie, and Chippewa Falls. He is working on updating the map for 2018.
See a list of 2017 Bike Week events below!
Mon | June 5 | 6 pm | WI Bike Week: CORBA Group Ride
Join Chippewa Off Road Bike Association (CORBA) for their weekly Group Ride. This is a ride for all skill levels and whether you know the trails or not. You will break up into groups according to speed and leave no one behind. Helmets required.
Lowes Creek County Park S. Lowes Creek Rd., Eau Claire
Cost FREE
Tue | June 6 | 6:30 am - 10 am | WI Bike Week: Kickoff Party
Join important friends of a bike-friendly Wisconsin who will be on hand for the Bike Week kickoff party with bike merch for sale, local bike groups, and free coffee from Soul Brewed Coffee.
Parking lot just outside of the Local Store at the Volume One World Headquarters 205 N. Dewey St., Eau Claire
Tue | June 6 | 7 pm | WI Bike Week: Hands-On Intro to Bike Maintenance
Learn the basics of maintaining your own bike in this two-hour workshop. Bring your own bike to work on. Workstations and tools will be provided, parts and multi-tools are available for purchase.
Parking lot just outside of the Local Store at the Volume One World Headquarters 205 N. Dewey St., Eau Claire
Cost FREE
Wed | June 7 | 5 pm - 7 pm | WI Bike Week: Open House & Planning Session
Give your input ahead of the 2018 update to the Chippewa Valley Bike Map, which had its first edition released in 2015, and give input on future bike route planning for Eau Claire & Altoona. Sponsored by Bike Chippewa Valley.
The Volume One Gallery Located inside the Local Store at the Volume One World Headquarters, 205 N. Dewey St., Eau Claire
Wed | June 7 | 5:30 pm | WI Bike Week: Bike to Baseball
Meet up and ride to an Eau Claire Express Baseball game vs. the Rochester Honkers at Carson Park. Participating riders receive a voucher for a FREE general admission ticket and a gift by the Eau Claire Express, but you must join the ride starting from one of the meet-up points. Helmets required. Express game at 6:35pm.
The Local Store at the Volume One World Headquarters 205 N. Dewey St., Eau Claire
Thu | June 8 | 5 pm | WI Bike Week: Meet-up & Ride-In to Sounds Like Summer Concert Series
Find fellow bicyclists at separate meet-up points in Eau Claire and Altoona to ride in to the Sounds Like Summer Concert Series in Phoenix Park. Participate in the Ride-In, arrive at the free Bike Valet service at Phoenix Park, and receive a special offer to redeem at the Volume One tent at the concert. Helmets required.
Altoona riders meet at Tower Park (located at intersection of River Prairie Dr and OakLeaf Way)
Fri | June 9 | 6:30 pm | WI Bike Week: Bikes, Bridges, and Brews
Meet up with some fellow bike lovers to ride over some of Eau Claire's most beautiful bridges and end up at one of two local breweries in the emerging Cannery District on the west bank of the Chippewa River: Lazy Monk, or The Brewing Projekt. Helmets required.
Phoenix Park Trailhead Building Riverfront Terrace, Eau Claire
Sat | June 10 | 10 am - 2 pm | WI Bike Week: Ride With the Pie Riders
Meet at Volume One to participate in a Pie Ride road biking trip led by local bike enthusiasts. Travel about 30 miles through the Chippewa Valley and make a stop for a snack! Helmets required.
The Local Store at the Volume One World Headquarters 205 N. Dewey St., Eau Claire
Sun | June 11 | 4 pm - 7 pm | WI Bike Week: Bike to the Beach
Meet-up and hangout for local bike and beach enthusiasts at Lake Altoona County Park. Beach Party from 4-7pm. Stay for the Ski Sprites performance at 6:30pm. Helmets required. Meet-up points at Phoenix Park Trailhead Building, and Flynn Elementary on the Eastside Hill.
Lake Altoona County Beach 604 Beach Rd., Altoona
Read more about this article »
|
