Across the state, bicycle advocates have held public outreach events this month, and they aren't finished.
Bicycle Coalition of the Ozarks is once again promoting the National Bike Challenge (nationalbikechallenge.org). Individual cyclists report their mileage to a website connected to Strava, Mapmyride or Endomondo and compete for prizes with people around the state and nation.
Bike to School Day was May 4 at all the elementary schools in Springdale and Conway, and in schools at Fayetteville and Malvern. Conway Advocates for Bicycling's Bike to School Day rides involved 283 children at seven elementary schools, said Peter Mehl, a bike commuter from Conway.
There were Cyclofemme rides -- noncompetitive social rides for women -- in Little Rock and Conway on Mother's Day.
Bike Fayetteville and Bike Bentonville held the Square 2 Square ride on the Razorback Greenway on Saturday.
The Conway group's observances continue this week, which is designated Bike to Work Week there.
Commuters are on their own today through Thursday, but from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. Friday, an easy-pace group ride will begin at Wal-Mart on Dave Ward Drive and travel to Simon Park. The route includes Tucker Creek Trail.
"Anybody who rides to work is welcome to meet us at the park where we have breakfast, coffee and rolls for anybody who wants to show up -- on a bicycle, hopefully," Mehl said.
At 8 p.m. Saturday, the CAB Ride After Dark begins in Simon Park. Organizer Ken Sobel has marked out a 9.74-mile road ride that includes newly opened sections of Tucker Creek Trail.
"The elevation change will be only about 50 feet from lowest to highest, and the hardest climb will be on Reedy Road just south of Prince Street," Sobel said. "Every rider needs to have front and rear lights attached to their bicycles."
At 2 p.m. Sunday, the monthly CAB Community Ride begins in Simon Park. "As always, helmets are required," Mehl said. "Basically it's a short ride around town. It's in a group, so it's pretty safe that way. We often stop along the way, for ice cream, frozen yogurt -- very leisurely, everybody's invited, and we make sure we don't go too fast."
More information is at cycleconway.com.
-- Celia Storey
ActiveStyle on 05/16/2016