Planning is underway for the SECOND
ChampaignCountyBikes BIKEFEST!

We expect to have even more fun activities than last year.
Once again the main activities will be centered around Hessel Park in Champaign on Sunday May 4, 2008

5/7/2007

By Rick Langlois

By all accounts the first ever Champaign County Bikes Bicycle Festival was a big success!

Weather was perfect on Sunday, May 6th and hundreds of people showed up at Hessle Park to have fun and participate in the event.

The Jazz Cycle, piloted by Gary Cziko, lead the parade of decorated bikes around the park twice and after that about 40 young children improved their bicycling skills by going through the paces of the Bike Safety Rodeo. Thanks to Safe Kids of Champaign County for supplying the Wonderful Bike Rodeo Kit!

Chance McDade did an outstanding job of painting faces and the Urbana-Champaign Bikecoop did a wonderful job with their successful bicycle auction.

Linda Evans of TRIBALLIFE.net let kids try her like-a-bike trainers and big kids got to ride an extra cycle! I heard one little girl ask "can we get one mom?" after climbing off the back of the extra cycle. The girl didn't have to do any peddling. :-) I'm seeing more and more of those extra cycles all the time. they really are great carry all bikes for riding to work or running errands.

Lots of people showed interest in learning the function of the bike rack on the C-U MTD bus that came out for the event. The next day I ran into a guy who said he got to see how it worked and is now "over his phobia" of the bike rack on the bus! great! I ride in the rain - and usually enjoy it - but maybe someone else would ride to work and find that they need to get home on the bus. Well the C-U MTD has racks on the front of every bus! You don't have to risk leaving your bike locked in the bike lot anymore. You can take it home with you on the bus.

Lots of kids enjoyed themselves on the inflatable obstacle courses and Quincee Loves the Liar did a smashing job playing their set on the GIANT Champaign Park District Mobile Show Mobile.

What a great day!
Thanks to our sponsors (see list at bottom) and everyone who worked so hard to make it happen!

Look for the second annual Champaign County Bikes Bicycle Festival next year and plan to bring your bike over and JOIN THE RIDE!

ANNOUNCING
Champaign County Bikes'
first ever
* * BICYCLE FESTIVAL * *

Sunday May 6th, 2007
1:00 to 4:00 PM
Hessel Park, Champaign
Bring your bike and ride in the Parade!
(please wear your helmet)

Live Music
by "Quincee Loves the Liar"

Free Face Painting
by Chance McDade

Free Prizes!

Used bicycle Auction by The Bike Project of Urbana-Champaign

Try your bike on a C-U MTD bus rack

...and More!

1:00

2:00

3:00

Schedule of Events
-Free Kid's Bicycle Decorating
-Pre-viewing of Auction Bikes
-Free Bike Repair Lessons

-All-Ages Bicycle Parade Around the Park

-Kid's Bicycle Safety Rodeo
-Auction of Used Bikes
By The Bike Project of Urbana-Champaign
(30 bikes, starting bids as low as $10)

Kind support from:

Champaign Park District

Bikeworks

Durst Cycle and Fitness

Champaign Cycle Co.

The Bike Project of Urbana-Champaign

Tribal Life

Safe Kids Champaign County

Sticklen Insurance Agency

League of Illinois Bicyclists

C-U MTD