Each year, May is designated as National Bike Month, and there’s a lot going on, both in Allen County and around the state!
National Bike Challenge
The National Bike Challenge runs from May 1 through September 30, and the goals is simple: ride your bike as much as you can!
Participating in the Challenge is free, and it’s easy. Just ride your bike and log your miles at NationalBikeChallenge.org. If you already log your miles using smartphone apps or online sites such as Strava, Endomondo, or MapMyRide, you can make participating the National Bike Challenge automatic — just follow the prompts on NationalBikeChallenge.org to connect to your site of choice.
National Bike To School Day
National Bike To School Day is May 4th.
Bike to School Day raises awareness of the need to create safer routes for bicycling and walking and emphasize the importance of issues such as increasing physical activity among children, pedestrian safety, reducing traffic congestion and concern for the environment.
National Bike To Work Day & Week
Bike to Work Week is May 16-20, and Bike to Work Day is May 20.
With increased interest in healthy, sustainable and economic transportation options, it’s not surprising that, from 2000 to 2013, the number of bicycle commuters in the U.S. grew by more than 62 percent. Join in!
Bike Events
There are dozens of bicycling events in our region during the month of May (and every month, really). Here are a few of interest:
- May 1: Capitol Classic in Topeka
- May 1: Tour de Hope in Overland Park
- May 7: Bull Creek Bike Bash in Spring Hill
- May 7: Chisholm Trail Bike Ride in Newton
- May 7: Gravel Ride For Maisie’s Pride in Eskridge
- May 15: Wicked Wind 100 in Wichita
- May 21: BAMFAM in McPherson
- May 21: Elrod’s Cirque in Winfield
- May 22: Lone Star Century in Olathe
- May 28: Cottonwood 200 in Topeka
- May 28: Salt City Criterium Classic in Hutchinson
- May 29: Jesse Blancarte 10K Time Trial in Gardner
- May 29: Sand Plum Classic in Hutchinson
Of course, Allen County’s regular weekly rides will be ongoing, including the Tuesday Evening Dairy Queen Ride, the Wednesday Lehigh Trail Ride, and the Thursday Night Trail Ride. Come ride along!