Pete’s Pick: Celebrate National Bike Month

Over the past year or so I’ve had the pleasure of seeing more and more friends discover the joys associated with bicycling. One friend in particular now commutes regularly to and from work. There’s a strong correlations between time spent outside and overall happiness and I truly believe this happiness is compounded when you’re on a bike.

May is National Bike Month and there are lots of ways to celebrate life on two wheels.

• Clean Commute Challenge: Challenge yourself (and friends) to bike, walk, carpool, or take public transportation as much as possible this month. It’s good to shake things up and you’ll be surprised how much you enjoy it.
• Bike Shorts Film Festival: Attend the annual film festival that features films produced by local, national, and international filmmakers with a common theme of bicycles. May 6 (Roanoke), May 10 (Lynchburg), May 11 (Martinsville), and May 18 (Blacksburg).
• Save the Date – May 21:  Pro bike racing, live music, and even adult big wheel races in downtown Roanoke, all part of the Virginia’s Blue Ridge Downtown Twilight Criterium and Night Rider’s Ball.

Other Bike Related Events

• Lunch Vacation Ride (every Thursday)
• Middle Mountain Momma Mountain Bike Race, May 1
• Wednesday Night Disco Mountain Bike Race Series, May 4 and 11
• Free KONA mountain bike demo at Carvins Cove, May 5
• Spring Up Wolf Creek Ride, May 7
• Rally for Road Safety, May 14
• Clean Commute Free Breakfast, May 20
• Wilderness Road Ride, May 28
• Visit roanokeoutside.com/events for more

Make it a great weekend … outside!

— Pete