City of Bloomington and Bloomington Bicycle Club to Host Winter Cycling Weekend

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Jan. 16, 2014

For additional information, please contact:

Anna Dragovich, Senior Transportation Planner, City of Bloomington Planning Department, 349.3423

Jim Schroeder, President, Bloomington Bicycle Club, 260.450.2007

City of Bloomington and Bloomington Bicycle Club to Host Winter Cycling Weekend

Bloomington, Ind. - The City of Bloomington Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Commission and The Bloomington Bicycle Club have teamed up to organize a weekend of winter cycling for Jan. 25 and 26. The weekend will kick off on Saturday at 10 a.m. with the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Bike Ride. The third annual, family-friendly ride will depart from City Hall where participants will have a choice of two routes. The first, a "Terrible Route," will be approximately 3 miles in length and actually won't be very terrible at all. The second, a "Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Route", will be approximately 7 miles in length and is best suited for the more fearless among us. Both routes will traverse urban cycling routes around Bloomington to prove that it's possible to bike in all kinds of weather. This event is intended for both the fearful and the fearless - if you can ride on this day, you can ride any day.

"The past two years have brought the complete opposite of terrible weather. We've had the most beautiful, sunny weather, which has been wonderful, but this year, we're hoping for at least a bit of snow to make the ride just a little terrible!" says Anna Dragovich, Senior Transportation Planner.

The winter cycling weekend will end on Sunday, Jan. 26 with a showing of the documentary "A Winter of Cyclists" at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater beginning at 7 p.m. The film captures the inaugural Icy Bike Winter Commuting Challenge where 12 Colorado cyclists attempt to bicycle commute during the winter months. The cyclists challenge each other during the cold, dark and snowy Colorado winter and form a surprising comradery as nearly 200 like-minded riders from across the USA, Canada and other countries join in the challenge. The showing of the film is completely free to the public, however, Bloomington Bicycle Club will accept donations at the event.

The City of Bloomington Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Commission is a citizen's commission responsible for developing safety programs, encouraging the hosting of cycling, walking and running events as well as serving as a citizen's forum on safe access for cyclists and pedestrians.

The Bloomington Bicycle Club works to support a variety of community groups, including nonprofit organizations and programs, schools and other civic-minded organizations to promote bicycling for recreation, transportation and competition.

For more information, contact Senior Transportation Planner, Anna Dragovich at 349.3423 or dragovia@bloomington.in.gov.

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