May is National Bike Month, and Utah is getting in on the action with dozens of events to get people on two wheels.
Practically every day this May, there will be something going on in our state to educate about bikes, celebrate bikes, and ride bikes. As we all know, Utah is an awesome place to ride, whether it’s mountain biking, road cycling, or just pedaling around town on a beach cruiser.
The entire month of May is packed to the gills with things to do and see regarding bikes. National Bike Month in Utah kicks off with the 2011 Utah Bike Summit, where cyclists of all persuasions will come together and share ideas and their interests in Utah biking. The summit will feature keynote speaker Andy Clarke of the LAB, followed by a meet and greet reception with state legislators. For more information, visit www.bikeutah.org
The first week of May has the Tour de Brewtah, a bike tour that stops at various brewpubs in Salt Lake City to raise money for charity. Register at www.tourdebrewtah.org. There’s also the Herriman Pedal Palooza, the Ghost Town Century, and more.
The second week has some big events, including the Get Outdoors Expo, which is also a celebration of all things outdoors, the Center of Utah 300k Brevet, the Cache Valley Bike Festival in Logan, and Cycle Salt Lake Week, a week-long festival with bike races, Bike Bonanza, Cycle Salt Lake Century Ride, Bike to Work Day, and more.
May’s third week is also chock-full of fun, with activities such as Bike to Work Day on May 17 in Salt Lake City, Salt Lake County, and Provo. Bike to Work Day happens in Orem on May 18. Then riders in Ogden and Park City get to commute by bike along with everyone in the country who are being encouraged to bike to work for National Bike to Work Day on May 20th.
Then on the 21st, it all wraps up with the Cycle Salt Lake Century ride and a huge Bikes for Kids event where 1,000 new bikes, helmets, and bike locks will be given away to low income kids in the Salt Lake Valley.
All of this is meant to encourage Utahns to get outside and ride a bike, whether for commuting to work, riding for enjoyment or killing your legs on an epic road race. For a complete list of Utah Bike Month events or to submit your own, visit the website at www.utahbikemonth.org