For many of the students, the trip was something of a novelty. Most school field trips happen on buses. But this time, students experienced something different: traveling through their city by bicycle.

When Asheville on Bikes advocates for continued investment in complete streets, greenways, and trails, our goal is simple: connect people to places safely. Last week’s Bike Club ride into downtown was a snapshot of what’s possible.

Think about it. Within two miles of the Asheville City Schools campus are dozens of destinations where students could learn, explore, and connect with their community. When safe streets are prioritized, people of all ages and abilities can travel by a variety of modes—walking, biking, rolling, and transit.

Projects like AVL Unpaved, the College / Patton Complete Street Project, the Haywood Road resurfacing, and the Riverfront Parks Redevelopment Project, and the I-26 Connector Project represent opportunities to elevate safety in our public right-of-way. No single project creates a network—but each one is a critical link in building the connected active transportation system our community needs.

Trips from school campuses into downtown by walking or biking could become part of everyday life in Asheville. But today, experiences like this remain the exception—not the norm. If we value safe routes from campus to the places where students learn, explore, and gather, our elected officials and transportation agencies will need to prioritize safer streets in the years ahead.

About Bike Club

• Asheville on Bikes Bike Club is the longest-running after-school cycling program in North Carolina.
  
• Bike Club is a partnership between Asheville on Bikes and the Asheville City Schools Foundation.
  
• From the Asheville Middle School campus, Bike Club has access to over 40 miles of riding routes.
  

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AoB thanks our 2020 sponsors for their financial support which enables us to move our mission forward:

Winners Announced: 

Cruiser Winners: 

1st Place:

Team – Spider Bike
Team Member(s): Nate Field & Otis Field
00:45min & 17 checkpoints
https://ridewithgps.com/trips/58409098

Runner up (Second Amount of Checkpoints in the Least Amount of Time):

Team – Wagers on Bikes
00:28min & 8 checkpoints
https://ridewithgps.com/trips/58394800

City Centric: 

1st Place: 

Team – Monty Rides Again
Team Members: Dave & Linda Copley
01:46hr & 36 checkpoints( including bonus)
https://ridewithgps.com/trips/58404772

Runner Up

Team – Jim
Team Members: Jim Grode (Asheville on Bikes’ Board Member)
2:43hr & 31 Checkpoints
https://ridewithgps.com/trips/58407802

Rough & Rowdy:

1st Place:
Team – Honda Insight Fan Club (Official)
Team Member(s): Devin Clancy and Nick Bragg
03:55hr & 28 checkpoints
https://ridewithgps.com/trips/58408402 

Runner Up:

Team – Pumpkin Pedaller Fox in Socks
Team Member(s):Christina Montes
https://ridewithgps.com/trips/58414982

Best Costume: 

Team: It’s Pronounced Fronkensteen
https://ridewithgps.com/trips/58417939

Best Team Name:

Team – Bent Creekers
Team Member(s): William Goodson

Pumpkin Pedaller winners will receive a gift from one of these local companies: 

• Oowee Products
• The Runner Box 
• Taco Billy 
• Riveter

AoB has a three pronged approach to our mission – celebration, education, & advocacy. To learn more about our work in education and advocacy, watch “Education & Infrastructure Moves the Next Generation Forward.”

The post Pumpkin Pedaller 2020 Winners appeared first on Asheville On Bikes.

Special Thanks to our wonderful sponsors who make our events possible:

Rough and Rowdy:

Most Checkpoints and Elevation

Team Name: Westside Wanderers
Team Members: Karen Ostergaard, Erik Ostergaard, Austin Walker
78.2 miles, 6,405 feet elevation gain, 36 points
@_k_j_o
https://ridewithgps.com/trips/56777099

Runner up: Most Elevation

Team Name-Riley West
Team Members- Riley West
64.1 miles, 5989 feet elevation gain, 17 points
@ohitsriley
https://ridewithgps.com/trips/56773678?privacy_code=NH6KckzNkIJdQaEA

Best Name, Costume and Photographs

Team Name: Autumn Oddity
Team Members- Christina Montes & Ethan Burns
47.9 miles, 4,466 feet elevation gain, 31 points
@xomontes
https://ridewithgps.com/trips/56772533

City Centric:

Most Checkpoints and Elevation:

Team Name: Team SGOT
Team Members: Rebecca Lawton & Trevor
28.9 miles, 2,288 feet elevation gain, 30 pts
https://ridewithgps.com/trips/56771222

Runner Up

Team Members- Richie Rozelle & Nick Kroncke
27.3 miles , 1,995 feet elevation gain, 31 pts
@Rozzeller
https://ridewithgps.com/trips/56761720

Best Name and Best Photographs:

Team Name: Your Pace or Mine?
Team Members- Rylee Roquemore & Misty Miller
25.8 miles, 1876 feet elevation gain, 31 pts
@ryleeroq
https://ridewithgps.com/trips/56770476

Runner Up Best Photograph

Team Name: Little Debbies Conquer City
Team Members: Mackenzie Kramer & Colin McCormick, John and Karly Haddock
@kenziekramer
https://ridewithgps.com/trips/56764779

Best Costumes:

Team Name: Flagella and Anchor
Team Members: Katie Green & Ramin Sadeghian
@insideoutandupsidedown
https://ridewithgps.com/trips/56769997

Cruiser:

Best All-Around

Team Name: Yancey’s Fancy
Team Members: Katie, Luca and Herb Yancey,
10.5 miles, 415 elevation gain, 13 checkpoints
@katiemccabeyancey
https://ridewithgps.com/trips/56760445

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If this sounds like a perfect day to you, sign up now for Bikes & Beers on Saturday, August 4th for an awesome organized ride event, featuring two fully supported rides (a 16 mile and 26 mile option), followed by a festival after-party at New Belgium Brewing. Proceeds go to Asheville on Bikes!

Come Out & Ride:
Bikes & Beers Asheville
Saturday, August 4th, 2018, 9:00AM
New Belgium Brewing
16 Mile & 26 Mile Ride Options
Register Now

Save $5 on registration with AoB discount code

Registration is $45 per rider until 7/27/18. Late registration through event day is $50. Save $5 when you pre-register online with this discount code: AoBRides. Proceeds from the event go to Asheville on Bikes to help us build a better cycling infrastructure in Asheville. Click here to register.

What’s included in your registration?

• Fully supported 16 mile or 26 mile ride, including free pre-ride coffee & rest stops with snacks. All faces, all paces welcome.
• Post-ride party at New Belgium Brewing
• TWO FREE BEERS of your choice
• Live music & outdoor games all day
• At least 3 food trucks on site (food for purchase)
• Raffle ticket: you could win a new bike, cycling kit & more!
• Swag including a Bikes & Beers pint glass and koozie
• Tons of smiles!

What time does the ride start?

The 26 mile ride rolls out at 9:30AM. The 16 mile ride rolls out at 10:30AM. We’ll get the party started at 9AM. Grab yourself a La Columbe coffee while you get your bike ready to ride. Live music, games and activities continue at New Belgium until 2:30PM.

We need volunteers! Sign up here.

Want to participate without riding? AoB is currently seeking volunteers to help support the event. Volunteers get coffee, snacks, entrance to the party after their shift and two free beers. To sign up, fill out & submit our volunteer form.

About the Bikes & Beers Foundation

Bikes & Beers helps cities throughout the U.S. strengthen their local cycling community by bringing together local, independent breweries and cyclists. Every Bikes & Beers event benefits a local cycling charity to help improve policies and infrastructure and make cycling a safer, more viable option for transportation and recreation.

Asheville on Bikes is proud to be the beneficiary of this year’s Bikes & Beers event in Asheville. Bikes & Beers has a reputation for putting on a stellar event with a relaxed, friendly atmosphere. And, as always, we want to thank New Belgium Brewing for their continued support and for hosting so many of our AoB events, including Bikes & Beers.

Have questions? Contact us!

We’ll be happy to answer any questions you have about Bike & Beers or Asheville on Bikes. Just contact us and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can.

The post Bikes & Beers Asheville on August 4th: everything you could possibly want in a group ride appeared first on Asheville On Bikes.

This year’s route features West Asheville’s greenways and neighborhoods and includes something for all levels of riders. The route incorporates AoB’s signature “dynamic intersections” which allow participants to select their distance and elevation gains.

“Riders can keep it flat, on the greenway and under three miles. Or, they can opt for twelve miles with a few climbs. Or, they can select something in between. There is something for everyone, especially those who are new to urban riding,” says AoB’s executive director, Mike Sule. Participants are encouraged to review the route map, have a bicycle in good working condition, and to ride with a water bottle, lights, and a bike bell.

Summer Cycle Details:

4:30pm – Gather at French Broad Outfitters (230 Hominy Crk Rd)

5:00pm – The ride begins

6:30pm – Return to French Broad Outfitters

Things to Consider:

Review the route before the ride.

Tune your bike.

Equip your bike with front and rear lights, a water bottle, and a bike bell.

RSVP for Summer Cycle and invite your family and friends.

The post Asheville on Bikes Hosts Summer Cycle 17 appeared first on Asheville On Bikes.

Asheville on Bikes welcomes you to ride the city with New Belgium Brewing Co. on Saturday, Oct. 29th at the ninth annual Pumpkin Pedaller. The ride is free, open to the public, and costumes are customary.  This year, AoB introduces a few new features to the ride.

• Pumpkin Pedaller Begins and Culminates at New Belgium Brewing Co. located at  21 Craven St. – The ride gathers at 2:30pm, rolls at 3pm, and returns at 5pm-ish for a Halloween party with music, food, and activities. 1$ from each beer sold and all tips will be donated to AoB.
• Local Celebrity Costume Judges – Alli Marshal of Mountain Xpress, Brownie Newman of Buncombe County Commissioners, Jason Sandford of AshVegas,  Jim Lauzon of Lazoom Tours will serve as our costume judges. Judges will be stationed at Packs Park and riders hoping to win will roll up to meet and greet them.
• Family Friendly Pedal Patrol – AoB will provide additional navigational support for families hauling and riding with children. Keep in mind the ride is 10 miles and includes a few climbs so please review the route and assess your family’s riding ability before the Pumpkin Pedaller.
• Dynamic Intersections – In order to keep the ride rolling together, AoB’s pedal patrol has a few shortcuts embedded in the route as to keep the Pumpkin Pedaller rolling as one.

AoB seeks a variety of volunteers for Pumpkin Pedaller. If you’d like to support making the ride roll smoothly, please visit the volunteer page and select the volunteer spots that works best for you.

Keep an eye out for Pumpkin Pedaller maps at local bike shops and shops throughout Asheville. They’re helpful and provide key information about the ride. Maps will also be available before the ride.

AoB thanks all of our sponsors who provide the resources to make this ride happen and keep AoB rolling forward. Thank you New Belgium Brewing Co, JAG & Associates Construction , Gottfried & Mann, Dr of Dentistry , Mosaic Lifestyle Realty, & Sarver Realty Group, LLC .

RSVP for the ride and follow updates via AoB’s Pumpkin Pedaller Facebook Event Page.

The post Pumpkin Pedaller ’16 presented by New Belgium Brewing Co. appeared first on Asheville On Bikes.

The Pumpkin Pedaller,  presented by New Belgium Brewing Co, returns on Saturday, Oct. 29th and AoB needs plenty of volunteers to make this event roll. We anticipate record breaking participation. This year’s route is roughly ten miles and incorporates greenways, river arts district, a new section of north asheville, and Montford.  

There are a variety of ways for you to support the Pumpkin Pedaller through volunteering. Below is a brief description of the volunteer opportunities, the times, and dates. Please review and sign up to volunteer through the Pumpkin Pedaller Volunteer Form.

Pumpkin Pedaller Volunteer Opportunities

Wayfinding Wheelers (Friday, Oct. 28th 5pm – 7pm) The wayfinding wheelers spray the way by heading out the night before the ride and laying down chalked stencils that point they way for our ride participants. Some wayfinders roll by bike and others opt for the car. It’s a fun gig but can be a bit messy.

Pedal Patrol (Saturday, Oct. 29th 2:30pm – 5:30pm)  The pedal patrol provides on the ground directional (and sometimes emotional support) for our ride participants. The pedal patrol supports safe habits of riding and is stationed a key locations to provide additional support. AoB participants often report how much they appreciate pedal patrols roadside presence.

Family Pedal Patrol (Saturday, Oct. 29th 2:30pm – 5:30pm) The family pedal patrol is the most recent addition to AoB community rides. This crew invites families to roll with them and is equipped to shorten the route or respond to families’ needs. AoB is committed to growing bicycle culture and supporting families is a great way to keep our city rolling.

Pumpkin Pedaller Party Volunteers (Saturday, Oct. 29th 4pm – 6pm & 6pm – 8pm) These volunteers will fill a variety of rolls during the afterparty. We need people to work the AoB tent, sell raffle tickets, and provide additional support during the party.

All volunteers will be appreciated with beer tokens following their shifts. AoB will host a volunteer meeting on Friday, Oct. 28th from 6pm – 7pm. Beverages and pizza will be supplied. While we’d love for you to participate in the volunteer meeting, if you can’t make it you’re still eligible to volunteer. Once you register to volunteer by completing the Pumpkin Pedaller Volunteer Form, an AoB agent will contact you with further details.   

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New Belgium  Clips Beer and Film Tour  2016 return to Asheville on Friday, August 26th from 7-10pm. Clips is one of Asheville on Bikes biggest fundraisers of the year.  Help us keep AoB rolling forward; volunteer at the event or bring your friends out that night! Volunteer for Clips 2016  

Contact Rachel@ashevilleonbikes.com if you have any questions.

At the end of each summer Asheville on Bikes and New Belgium Brewery host Clips Film and Beer Tour in Pack Square Park. You will find new friends, old friends, tasty suds and a rockin’ film festival. All films are created by people just like you! Bring your blankets and sit under the stars or be a part of the evening and consider volunteering. See you at the end of August!

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Sunday, June 26th 2:30pm – 8pm

The Summer Cycle is AoB’s annual summer social ride. This year, we’re changing up the program, route, and rolling in a new direction. Come join us and let us know what you think.

Summer Cycle Details:

• 2:30pm – Ride gathers at Second Gear
• 3:00pm – Ride rolls out
• 5:00pm – Ride culminates at Kolo Bike Park
• 8:00pm – Parting is such sweet sorrow

The route is 13.7 miles and includes 683 ft of climbing.  The ride includes wayfinding markers and pedal patrol. We’ve added a family specific pedal patrol so that families can ride safely in a group with support from AoB volunteers.

We need plenty of volunteers for the Summer Cycle, so review the volunteers options and pick a time and place that works for you. Sign up to volunteer.

The Summer Cycle gathers at Second Gear (444 Haywood Rd, 28806) in West Asheville and rolls through a variety of neighborhood streets and greenways, before culminating at Kolo Bike Park (1 Resort Dr, 28806) on the Crowne Plaza Campus. Once there, participants can enjoy Oskar Blues Brewing, food trucks, mountain bike riding, and socializing. 100% of all Oskar Blues Brewing products sold support AoB.

Asheville on Bikes appreciates our sponsors: Oskar Blues Brewing Company, Second Gear, Skylanes, Sarver Realty Group, Kolo Bike Park, and Crowne Plaza Resort.

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On Sunday, March 20th, the 10th annual Bike of the Irish rolls through the streets of Asheville and culminates at Kolo Bike Park located on the Crowne Plaza Resort.

Each spring, the Asheville on Bikes community celebrates the return of spring with an its annual festive ride. Participants decorate themselves and their bikes in green as they ride the city.

The event is free and open to the public, but AoB does ask that you consider making a donation to the organization, renew a membership, or purchase a few tickets to the raffle. Membership, donations, and raffle tickets can be purchased in advance through AoB’s Eventbrite page.

This year’s route is eight miles, includes five hundred feet of climbing, and rolls through downtown, Montford, and West Asheville before ending at Kolo Bike Park. This is a perfect ride to invite the reluctant cyclists in your life as it’s fun, easy paced, and festive.

Once at Kolo, the festivities will continue with mountain biking, Oskar Blues, food trucks and a chance to win an Chris King wheel set. 100% of all Oskar Blues products sold at Bike of Irish support Asheville on Bikes.

Please consider volunteering for Bike of the Irish as several volunteers are needed. If you’re interested on a volunteer position, simply respond to the Bike of Irish Volunteer Form. There are several times and tasks available. Once your sign-up an AoB agent will contact you with details.  

Join AoB on Sunday, March 20th for the 10th annual Bike of the Irish.

Bike of the Irish Details:

1:30pm  – Gather at Packs Park

2:00pm – The ride begins

3:00pm – Culminate at Kolo Bike Park w/ Oskar Blues  

Things to Consider:

Review the route before the ride.  

Know the weather before you ride.

Pack an extra layer, a warm afternoon cools quickly.

Spending money is a good idea.

Food trucks will be at Kolo.

A variety of beverages will be available, not just beer.

Cars can be dropped at either Crowne Plaza or Westgate parking lot.

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