It’s time to dust off your spokes! The 15th annual Bonedale Bike Week kicks off May 13, rolling through to May 18 with free daily events for anyone who loves getting around on two wheels. Festivities range from a costumed scavenger hunt to a bike-in movie and more as Bike Week and its many sponsors bring back both classic events and forgotten favorites for what promises to be another lively week in Carbondale.
“Biking is the force that’s bringing people together,” said Tracy Wilson, one of Bonedale Bike Week’s founders and now its primary organizer.
Wilson, Jess Downing and Dave Downing founded Bonedale Bike Week in 2008 purely “for the love of bikes” and Bike Week has since expanded into a beloved and anticipated part of Carbondale’s spring season. For the past half a year, Wilson has been planning this year’s schedule with the assistance of many others including artist Brian Colley, who created this year’s poster inspired by playing cards. Wilson was quick to say that Bike Week owes its momentum to local support.
“The events are for the community,” she said. “[And it’s] the community that helps Bike Week thrive.”
While the main events are mostly scheduled for the afternoon and change day by day, cyclists can enjoy free coffee, tea, hot chocolate and snacks every morning of the week at Chacos Park. Bonfire Coffee will provide provisions to anyone biking by the corner of 4th and Main from 7 to 9am.
Additionally, participants will receive a punch card at the first event they attend, and for every subsequent event they’ll have a hole punched out. A raffle will be hosted at the end of the week, and for every hole punched, you’ll be eligible for a prize. Prizes range from biking gear to custom MountainFLOW water bottles made from plants.
The Kids’ Bike Rodeo, sponsored by the Town of Carbondale, starts the week off, Monday, May 13 from 4 to 6pm at the Rec Center. To ensure the little ones start their biking careers on good footing, the Rec Center will host an obstacle course designed to help teach the rules of the road as well as basic safety while a local expert teaches bike maintenance. The Carbondale Bike Project will be giving away 10 kids’ bikes to those who don’t yet have one to call their own. All participants must wear a helmet and have a waiver signed by a parent.
Just after the rodeo, Ragged Mountain Sports opens its parking lot for a Bike Decoration Mixer at 6pm. Participants can enjoy snacks, drinks and music while tricking out their rides with DIY decorations (think handlebar tassels made of cut-up t-shirts) to bike in style through the rest of the week.
Star events include the Town-wide scavenger hunt on Tuesday, May 14, starting at Aloha Mountain Cyclery at 5:45pm. Phones and helmets are necessary, and costumes are strongly encouraged as groups of two to six riders cruise around to capture photos based on clues. There will be a smaller family division on the Rio Grande Trail for safety, and while this scavenger hunt is for all ages, there will also be a middle school scavenger hunt on Thursday, May 16 at 3:45pm in front of Carbondale Middle School. Kids from all Valley middle schools are highly encouraged to get in on the fun with their best costumes.
Longtime Bike Week attendees might also remember the Spoke’N Word poetry competition. After a few years’ hiatus, the night of cycling-themed limericks is making its return. El Dorado will host the throwback event on Thursday at 7pm and fun prizes are in store for the most eloquent poets.
Dozens of community members and businesses make Bike Week possible, and local volunteers can donate their time to keep everything running smoothly. Early risers are especially welcome to run the daily free coffee table.
Information for how to volunteer and details for every afternoon’s event can be found at www.bonedalebikeweek.org