SEQUIM — Sequim fans of bicycling have plenty of chances to warm up for summer riding during Bike Everywhere Month, with group rides and other activities promoted by the Sequim Bicycle Alliance.
The month will kick off with a First Friday “Art Ride” on Friday: visit the galleries and activities by bike.
“Not an actual ride, not actually organized, and certainly not for showing off artsy Lycra jerseys (May’s color is blue by the way) …but simply a fun way to get in the spirit with fellow bicyclists,” according to a news release.
Sequim’s First Friday Art Walk runs from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at various locations; see http://www. sequimartwalk.com/ for more details.
A highlight this year will be the Bike Rodeo from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday for youth in kindergarten through fifth grade at the stadium parking lot next to Helen Haller Elementary, 350 W. Fir St.
Activities will include safety inspections, nine bike courses and a celebration for all participants. It is sponsored by the Safety Alliance of the Olympic Peninsula Bicycling Alliance. For more information contact Jeanie Robards at nwbikerlady@gmail.com.
Other special events this month are:
• Saturday, May 12: Ride to the Irrigation Parade and then visit the Farmers Market for a Festival Special ride starting at 3 p.m. from Sequim Bike Works. The 8- to 10-mile route will go past the Logging Show, head west on the Olympic Discovery Trail (ODT) and take a break at John Wayne Marina before heading back to town.
• Monday, May 14: A proclamation promoting Bike Everywhere Month is expected at the City Council meeting.
• Tuesday, May 15: Bike ride with the city manager. Meet at 5 p.m. on the Civic Center Plaza for a 45-minute ride to Railroad Bridge Park and back on the ODT.
• Friday, May 18: On National Bike to Work Day, riders can grab a free cup of coffee and a bagel at the Civic Center Plaza, 152 W. Cedar, on their morning commute between 7 a.m. and 9 a.m. After work, bike-commuters will meet for happy hour at Rainshadow Café, across the street from the plaza.
• Saturday, May 19: The Spring Spin Group Ride will depart from Rainshadow Café at 9 a.m. Riders are encouraged to arrive early for coffee and breakfast and time to chat. The ride will be more than 30 miles with a significant portion on the ODT.
• Saturday, May 19: The Sequim Wheelers will debut their new wheelchair bicycle — the first on the West Coast — at the Sequim Farmers Market between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., Civic Center Plaza, 152 W. Cedar St.
• Monday, May 21: The city’s Park, Arbor and Recreation Board asks to hear about bicycling ideas, opportunities and concerns regarding cycling in Sequim. Board meetings are at 5:30 p.m. on third Mondays in the Burkett Community Room, 152 W. Cedar St.
• Saturday, May 26: A Happy Hour Mountain Bike Ride to Dungeness Trails at the upper end of River Road will leave at 4 p.m. from 210 W. Washington [Salty Girls and Peninsula Taproom parking area].
Sequim Bicycle Alliance is an umbrella coordinating group for bicycling interests in eastern Clallam County, furthering the goals of Sequim’s Bronze-level Bike Friendly Community designation: education, encouragement, engineering, evaluation and planning, enforcement, and economic development.
The group meets quarterly at the Sequim Civic Center; information about past meetings is available at the City’s website www.sequimwa.gov.
Bike Month events are coordinated by members of the Sequim Bicycle Alliance, with special support and contributions from City of Sequim, Olympic Peninsula Bicycling Alliance, Sequim School District, Ben’s Bikes, and Rainshadow Coffee.
A complete schedule and details may be found on the Facebook page for “Sequim Cycling” or on the city’s website. Search for “Sequim Bicycle Alliance” or “Bike Everywhere Month.”
