Riders gearing up for October bikefest
By Michael Morrison
Jonathan Reed, a seasoned cyclist and veteran competitor, is gearing up for this year’s annual Tour de Tempe Bike Ride.
As a member of Tempe’s Bicycle Advisory Committee, he’s both helped plan and participated in many of the annual rides.
“It’s a great feeling to be a part of the ride,” said Reed, “but I encourage anyone, even people who have never ridden a bike, to go ahead and watch the riders pass, once the bicycle route is finalized. It’s impressive just to witness such a massive number of cyclists whiz by on their bikes.”
Last year’s Tour de Tempe drew more than 800 participants.
“Despite rains the day before, and early rain on the morning of, the last Tour de Tempe still turned out a huge crowd. You’d think the rain would lower the turnout...but folks from this area always show up in the hundreds.”
As a seasoned cyclist, Reed says he can hardly wait to return to the event every year.
“To start with, it’s a great change to get away from the competitive events. This ride is really more of a sight-seeing trip; it’s leisurely, everyone can go at their own pace, and it’s great to see families get out together.”
Seeing the sights isn’t the only reason Reed assists in and experiences the tour.
“It is a way for us to show the people of Tempe that our transportation amenities are not limited to cars and buses. Tempe’s bikeways are a realistic means of transportation, even from home to work. For instance, I got rid of my car sometime around 1990.”
The League of American Bicyclists recently awarded a silver-level award to Tempe for its bicycle-friendly city design and bikeway implementation.
Like many Tempe bicycle commuters, Reed says he appreciates the critical bicycle passageways that add legitimacy to such an award.
“A bicycle-designated path cuts straight across the 202 freeway, and another at Country Club crosses the US 60. It makes Tempe easy to traverse.”
Adding to bike accessibility, the city also plans yearly expansions to the bikeway system. The completion of the Country Club Way Bridge and two additional miles of the bikeway along the Rio Salado are among this year’s improvements.
This year’s tour participants will be traveling with police traffic control, an escort and standby medical technicians.
The exact route is dependent on coordinating with the traffic of other events, say event planners. This means the precise path can be determined only shortly before the tour begins in order to coordinate the services required for tour safety.
The tour will begin at Kiwanis Park and has, in the past, traveled around Tempe Town Lake and through downtown Tempe before returning to its starting point.
Cyclists are encouraged to show up at Kiwanis Park at 7 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 26.
The tour begins at 8.
Helmets are required and will be available for $10-$15 by cash or check only.
Contemporary musician Jay Taylor will provide live entertainment; free breakfast snacks will be available. The first 750 registrants will also receive free T-shirts.