Bike Month Event Rundown!
May is National Bike Month, and it is celebrated in communities from coast to coast. Established in 1956, National Bike Month is a chance to showcase the many benefits of bicycling — and encourage more folks to give biking a try. Get out on your bike this May and check out the listings below to find a ride or event near you!
Bike to Work Day – May 20th
RISE AND RIDE!
May 20th is National Bike to Work Day, and we’re celebrating all over town! Rise and ride and get yourself to one of our “Energizer Stations” for some free and delicious Phoenix Coffee and breakfast goods! We’ll be set up at the following locations –
- Downtown: The Bike Rack (2148 East 4th Street) – 7:00am to 9:30am
- University Circle: The Corner Alley Uptown (11409 Euclid Avenue) – 7:00am to 9:30am
- Lakewood: Lakewood Public Library (15425 Detroit Rd) – 7:00am to 9:00am.
- There will be a group ride headed for downtown leaving Lakewood at 7:05 bound for the Downtown event. Join them!
- Cleveland Heights: Edgehill Overlook (Corner of Edgehill Rd & Overlook Rd)- 7:00am to 9:00am
Greater Cleveland RTA are on board if you need help with your commute or the weather doesn’t cooperate. On May 20th, passengers with bikes ride free all day!
CLICK HERE to stay up to date with the latest information and join the Facebook Event.
2016 Ride of Silence – May 18th
Join cyclists across Greater Cleveland for the most important ride of the year. On Wednesday May 18th at 6:30pm Cleveland cyclists will join others across the globe in a silent slow-paced ride in honor of those who have been injured or killed while riding a bicycle on our public roadways. The Ride Of Silence is a free ride that asks cyclists to ride no faster than 12 mph and remain silent during the ride. There are no brochures, no sponsors and no registration fees.
Like in past years Cleveland’s Ride of Silence will have two start points –
- Free Stamp Monument in Downtown Cleveland (Willard Park at Lakeside and East 9th): led by Bike Cleveland
- John Carroll University in University Heights: led by the Heights Bicycle Coalition
CLICK HERE for more information and check out the Facebook Event.
Bike To The Ballpark – May 15th
Bike Cleveland and the Cleveland Indians are teaming up for Bike to the Ballpark! Ride your bike to the park and watch the Tribe beat the Twins! There will be free valet bike parking on the Gateway Plaza, and a portion of tickets purchased using THIS LINK will go to Bike Cleveland! Use passcode “bike” to get access.
Online ticket sales end May 6th!
Where: Progressive Field
When: Sunday, May 15th, 12pm (first pitch 1:10pm)
Tickets: HERE (tinyurl.com/biketopark16)
CLICK HERE for more information and invite your Facebook friends to the Facebook Event.
Thursday Throwdown – May 19th
Looking to stretch your legs with a fun but challenging mid-week ride? Want to hone your group riding skills? Join us on the 3rd Thursday of the month from May through September for a group ride. There will be two distinct groups (A and B) that follow the same route and are both NO DROP meaning we will regroup at the top of all significant climbs. These are roadie style rides, but all are welcome in whatever attire you like. Meet at 6pm, grab a coffee from Phoenix and get ready. Ride departs at 6:30 SHARP.
Where: 3000 Bridge Ave, Cleveland (Phoenix Coffee)
When: Meet at 6:00pm for coffee, ride depart at 6:30pm sharp.
CLICK HERE to get all the details or email rob@bikecleveland.org with questions.
Blessing of the Bicycles – May 8th
Bring your bike to Trinity Cathedral for our first annual Blessing of the Bicycles service and bike rodeo. A special 9 a.m. service will be held honoring Cleveland’s cycling community and its important role in making our city a more sustainable and vibrant place to live. Following the service will be a bike rodeo teaching basic handling, safety, and other essential tips for riders of all ages and skill levels.
Where: Trinity Cathedral (2230 Euclid Ave, Cleveland)
When: on Sunday, May 8th for
CLICK HERE for more information and check out the Facebook Event.
Bike For Beck – May 22nd
Celebrate Cycling, Art, and Community at the 5th Annual Bike for Beck. This morning cycling event begins at Beck Center for the Arts, and features a variety of routes for riders of all ages and abilities, followed by a Slow Roll at 11am.
The morning and early afternoon will continue with a FREE and open to the public art festival, live music, and yoga. All proceeds benefit educational programming at Beck Center for the Arts.
Where: Beck Center for the Arts (17801 Detroit Ave, Lakewood)
When: 7:00am – 3:00pm
More Info: Beck Center Website or Facebook
Big Foot, The Ride – May 14th
May 2015 marks the last reported Bigfoot encounter in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. An eerie audio recording was made near Kendall Lake on Truxell Road. Over the last decade, nearly a dozen reports of the elusive creature have been logged. Head out with Eddy’s as they ride to this spot and several others in and around the park and recount witness stories at each location.
Count on 20-25 miles or so of towpath, road, and be ready for a few hills. Post ride debriefing and hopefully amazing new additions to the sightings list at Winking Lizard Tavern adjacent to Lock 29.
Where: Lock 29 in Peninsula
When: May 14th at 8:00pm
CLICK HERE for more info or join the Facebook Event.
Additionally, if you’re not already aware, Eddy’s have set up a number of Bicycle Friendly Destinations you can ride your bike to and benefit from special discounts for people on bikes. These great restaurants and breweries are near popular bike paths and routes, so it’s easy to make them part of your next adventure.
Glenville Fix-A-Thon – May 21st
Do you live in the Glenville neighborhood? Know of someone in need of some free bike repairs to get them rolling for the summer? Come on down to our fix-a-thon on Saturday, May 21st. Get some minor bike repairs taken care of, learn how to get involved in bike projects throughout your neighborhood, and get some bike safety education before taking part in a community bike ride. Food and drinks provided! CLICK HERE for the flyer!
Where: VA Medical Center Parking Garage (10701 East Blvd. @ the corner of East 105th & Wade)
When: Saturday, May 21st. Fix-a-thon from 9am – 12pm. Ride from 12pm – 1pm.
Ride the Emerald Rim – May 21st
Celebrate National Bike to Work Week immersed in nature as you pedal through the Emerald Necklace on a cycling adventure. Starting from the Chalet, choose a 20, 30 or 50 mile ride to discover the beauty of Cleveland Metroparks from Brecksville to Big Creek Reservation. After burning all those calories, enjoy the camaraderie of fellow cyclists as you enjoy a healthy lunch, slacklining, and disc golf. Participants will share the roadway and sections of All Purpose Trails. Routes vary in difficulty. Helmets required.
Where: Cleveland Metroparks Chalet in the Mill Stream Run Reservation (16200 Valley Parkway, Strongsville)
When: May 21st, 9:00am – 4:00pm
CLICK HERE for more information
Century Cycles Bike to School Challenge – May 2nd to May 20th
From May 2 through May 20, over 5,000 students at eight schools will take the challenge. Using daily bike counts and surveys to gauge participation, the students are gearing up beat last year’s impressive records. Bike To School Challenge inspires and incentivizes high and middle school students in Bay Village, Rocky River, and Medina to bike to school as much as possible for three weeks each May — to help the environment, improve their health, have fun, and win prizes!
CLICK HERE to learn more and get involved and follow the challenge on Facebook
Also – don’t forget to check out Century’s Towpath Night Ride on Saturday, May 21st! They have one every month during prime riding seasons, so check it out!
Slow Roll Cleveland (ongoing)
We had a great time last Sunday (May 1st) at Slow Roll’s Season Opener at University Hospitals. From here on out they have regular rides all over town every Monday night! Check out Slow Roll Cleveland for everything you need to know to get involved and participate this season! Also check out their active Facebook Page for the most current news.
Advocates like us love groups like Slow Roll because the more people riding, the more visible the need for safe streets.
National Bike Challenge – Rust Cup (May Kickoff)
The National Bike Challenge (and the local Rust Belt Battle of the Bikes) is a free and friendly competition that encourages all people to get out and ride whether as daily commuters, weekend warriors, or somewhere in between. People on bikes log their miles throughout the summer at RustBeltBattle.org (or through one of the approved mobile apps) and compete as individuals, teams, workplaces and cities against others locally and across the county.
The challenge runs from May through September and aside from good honest fun, helps quantify the benefits of bicycles on our society by tracking calories burned, dollars saved, and pounds of carbon dioxide NOT getting pumped into our atmosphere. Don’t wait! Register today and start logging miles!
CLICK HERE for more info, or visit nationalbikechallenge.org
Share Your Draft – June 10th
Finally, although it’s not technically part of bike month, it’s still a great event and benefits a great cause!
Mix and mingle with some of Cleveland’s most civically engaged professionals, local funders, non-profit leadership, and advocates at our third annual “Share Your Draft Fundraiser.” The evening will feature a great selection of local beers (from Platform Beer Co., Earlybird Brewing and Brick & Barrel), wine and delicious appetizers (all local from Fresh Fork Market) at the historic Dunham Tavern, and is a great opportunity for you to get caught up on the transformative work Bike Cleveland is conducting throughout the city.
CLICK HERE for tickets and more information, and follow the event on Facebook.
Obviously this isn’t an exhaustive list of everything happening in May, but you can check out our Community Event Calendar for other things happening around town. To add your event to the calendar, click this link and we’ll be sure to add it!