Raleigh’s Inaugural Bicycle Festival will be held March 1st-10th 2013 in and around Downtown Raleigh. “Oaks and Spokes” as it has affectionately been tagged, was created by a group of cycling advocates in the downtown area, aiming to celebrate bicycles, the people who ride them and the urban fabric that brings it all together in the “City of Oaks.”
The festival will span ten days and encompass a variety of events. “We wanted to create an opportunity for the burgeoning community of bicycle riders that is growing in Raleigh to get together and have some fun on two wheels,” said co-director Kristy Jackson. “It is our hope that these events appeal to a diverse cross section of individuals — young and old, skilled and rusty, as well as beginning cyclists to come out and experience riding in the city.”
The festival kicks off on Friday, March 1st with Raleigh’s monthly “Bike First Friday.” This casual group rides from the NCSU Belltower to art galleries around Downtown, featuring stops at CAM Raleigh and the Raleigh Bikes Art Show. Other festival highlights include the second annual Triangle Tweed Ride, a Bike-In Movie showing “Ride the Divide,” the Oak City Open bike polo tournament, a FrankenBike Parts Swap, Crank for a Cause charity event, and NC Rides to the Capitol to show support for better treatment of cyclists on the road.
The festival will culminate on Sunday, March 10th with Kidical Mass: a safety demonstration followed by a neighborhood ride where the kids lead the way. All events are free and open to the public. Food, drink and prizes will be present at many events. Fun and friends will be present at all.
Friday March 1st: Bike First Friday, Raleigh Bikes Art Show
Saturday March 2nd: Triangle Tweed Ride, Party Like It’s 1899
Sunday March 3rd: Oak City Open, Frankenbike Part Swap
Monday March 4th: Bike-in Movie
Tuesday March 5th: Benelux Cafe Social Ride
Wednesday March 6th: Bike & Build
Friday March 8th: Crank For a Cause, Velolympiad
Saturday March 9th: WESACat, NC Ride to the Capitol
Sunday March 10th: Kidical Mass
Join the momentum! For a complete list of events and descriptions visit www.oaksandspokes.com.