9:30am | The second annual Long Beach Bike Fest is set to start pedaling this weekend, with biking-themed events planned around the city and highlighted by a professional race through the downtown streets and a 31-mile tour of the city with more than 700 registered riders so far.
The fun all starts this Friday, when the Fixed Gear Festival takes over the East Village Arts District from 6:00-11:00pm. There will be live music, freestyle riders and much more, including a one-lap tricycle race between members of the City Council.
The weekend’s main event, the Tour of Long Beach, will send hundreds of bikers on a massive loop around the city to raise funds for Miller Children’s Hospital. The registration date has been extended, so you can still click here to sign up and join in the fun. A map of the course is below. Yes, it looks a little daunting. Yes, you can do it. The ride starts at 8:00am on Saturday at Marina Green downtown. Pick up your registration papers at the Courtyard by Marriot (500 East 1st Street) between 12:00-8:00pm on Friday.
Short sprint races will be held for professional and amateur racers on a 0.83-mile course through the downtown streets on Saturday morning, as well. Bummer, I’ll miss this because I’m riding in the Tour. But after watching the inaugural race last year, I can tell you that it’s thrilling to see riders hurling themselves down Broadway as fast as their bikes will take them, sometimes four or five riders wide through turns. Races start at 9:30am.
The fun doesn’t stop that night, as the Farmers and Merchants Bank Finish Line at Broadway & Promenade will include a Kids Fun Zone, bike polo matches, more BMX demonstrations, a fashion show and bicycle art sales.
On Sunday, the action moves down to 4th Street, where the Art Theatre will host a special marathon of bike themed movies, highlighted by a documentary about riding around the world from a Long Beach filmmaker. Bike safety lessons and a roller derby will be held in the street will the smells of local restaurants drifting through the air. The event is coined Fourth Street In Motion and will take place on Retro Row, between Cherry and Junipero.
Whatever your flavor, there’s plenty to do this weekend at the Long Beach Bike Fest. So strap on your helmet and grab the bike lock, it’s going to be a good time.
Disclosure: The Long Beach Bike Fest is an advertiser of the lbpost.com.