Auburn City Officials are once again “gearing up” for another successful year of Bike Bash.
April Fool Bike Bash will be held on Saturday, April 1st from 8:00 a.m. to noon at Ogletree elementary school. This is the event’s 18th year, and they are expecting a large turnout from the surrounding community.
Brandy Ezelle, City Traffic Engineer and Bicycle Coordinator for 15 years, says that the purpose of the event is “to show kids the values of cycling and teach them cycling in a fun and entertaining environment.”
At the elementary school, fest attendees can expect to find a live band, kids bicycle rodeo with tiny bike races, bike and helmet decorating, safety inspections, entertaining and fun bike-themed challenges, free lunch of hamburgers and hot dogs, and much more. A door prize drawing will be held at the elementary school at 11 a.m.
The event is hosted by the City of Auburn, the Auburn Bicycle Committee and Auburn City Schools.
Early registration is now open for the Bike Bash, and will remain open until March 22nd. There is a $5 fee for children under 12, and a $10 fee for adults 13 and over. Registration fees include the ride, a tee shirt, “treasure bag,” snacks, lunch, and eligibility for door prizes.
On-site registration will begin at 8 a.m., but those who register on the day of the event will not be guaranteed a tee shirt; so organizers are encouraging riders to sign up early.
All of the routes will leave from and return to Ogletree elementary. Routes are provided at distances of 3, 9 and 17 miles, and they will take riders through multiple communities and neighborhoods around Auburn.
Route distances and start times are as follows:
Long 17 miles 9:00 a.m.
Medium 9 miles 9:30 a.m.
Short 3 miles 10:00 a.m.
Rest stops will be available on the medium and long routes.
Riders aged 12 or under must be accompanied while riding; riders ages 13 to 18 may ride alone, if they are given permission by a parent or guardian prior to their registration. All riders must obey traffic laws, and all riders must wear a helmet to ensure the safety and success of the event. A complete list of rules and other information can be found online at bikebash.org.
The various sponsors have been working hard to ensure the success of the event, and they have high hopes for the turnout for the event. They want to emphasize that Bike Bash is not a race; it is, rather, a time to ride at your own pace, to enjoy scenery, and to chat with your fellow riders.
Ezelle says “Success would be to have a safe event with lots of families and children enjoying the many benefits of cycling.”
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