Photos by Lydia Chain
May 11 saw the 5th Annual BikeFest Long Beach–a celebration of the city’s ever-growing bike friendliness–at the finish line of the Tour of Long Beach.
Presented by Downtown Long Beach Associates, BikeFest is an effort to unite and display the city’s love for the bicycle culture while also offering a family friendly day for all. Attendees, who ranged from families with young children on training wheels to seasoned cyclists from all over the world, came to support a city that the League of American Bicyclists designated as a member of its “Silver” class.
While the event was free, several tents created retail possibilities with a smattering of cycling gear such as jerseys and cycling shoes. Food was also in abundance with tents from local eateries, including Rocco’s and Legends, and a shaved ice stand that was set up to help combat the heat. Never letting on that they were probably roasting in their heavy suits, swing bands played all day to complement the positive ambiance of the occasion.
BikeFest attendees moved in and out of the event checking their bikes at the free bike valet station, participating in bicycle safety demos, riding The Pike at Rainbow Harbor’s ferris wheel, and observing the vintage bike competition, hosted by the Cyclone Coaster vintage bicycle group. In tune with the latter’s vintage/antique theme, a Vintage Bike + Fashion Show was curated by Sandra Pimentel, author of the Women On Bikes SoCal’s “Bike is the New Black” column. The show exhibited outfits and bikes throughout the eras pairing the most recognizable styles of the time to equally aged bikes.
The bikes and fashion were a major draw to the festival, but the biggest hit of the day was Beachwood and Friends’ Craft Beer Garden, returning for a second year. Riders that participated in the Tour of Long Beach were treated to a full-sized red plastic cup of locally made beer at the Beachwood tent while all others who desired to indulge in the beer garden could buy a pass of tasters for $20. The beer garden showcased 11 area breweries with the majority having more than one option, making the selection process of which beers to try no no easy task.
A good section of those in attendance were crossover craft beer and bicycle lovers that truly defined what the event was all about—bringing the community together.
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