Aggie Blue Bikes hosts Bike Week
This week, Aggie Blue Bikes hosts the second annual USU Bike Week with daily activities Monday through Friday.
According to the Aggie Blue Bikes mission statement they hope to get more students, on more bikes, more frequently. The week’s activities are open to the adventurous cyclist as well as to the person who’s never ridden a bike, and everyone in between.
The festivities start Monday on the TSC patio, as volunteers and staff of Aggie Blue Bikes will be offering their services for free chain lube and bike adjustment.
“We want to introduce people to every aspect of biking. It’s not just for the hard-core cyclists,” said Adam Christensen, a USU senior and Aggie Blue Bikes program coordinator.
“We’re looking for people who aren’t into biking, and we want them to see something they like or think they could be interested in,” he said. “That’s why we’ve set up so many fun activities throughout the week.”
Such activities include the showing of the movie “Rad” at Aggie Blue Bikes, Tuesday night. “Rad” is a movie from the ’80s about a paper-boy-turned-hero. The movie features Cru Jones as the protagonist faced with the tough decision of showing off his “rad” cycling skill in a Hellstrack qualifying competition or taking the SATs. Christensen said the film features many scenes of several cyclists doing various stunts and bike tricks in everyday life.
An air quality class will be Wednesday afternoon with a bike picnic following. Christensen said students are encouraged to bring a potluck dish to share.
According to junior Amy Flanders, Aggie Blue Bikes event coordinator, a pedaled-powered concert featuring Water and Walls and a surprise band will be at 7 p.m. Thursday in the Old Main outdoor amphitheater.
Flanders said all the electricity needed to power the amplifiers and other band equipment will be generated from bikes located on the stage. Flanders said they plan to end the week by raffling off a bike.
Flanders said a free breakfast will be provided Friday for all those who ride their bikes to school and will be on the TSC patio. Food will be provided from Caffe Ibis, Old Grist Mill, Fresh Market, USU Be Well and the meal will feature cider from Paradise.
“We want people to be able to ease their way into cycling,” Flanders said. “It’s for everyone and you can do as much or little as you like.”
Dean of the College of Natural Resources Nat Frazer will speak to students Tuesday at 1:30 p.m. about the 2010 senior gift, which is a covered bike rack located on the north side of the natural resources building. The bike rack is the third covered bike rack on campus.
“It shows we’re moving forward in alternative modes of transportation,” Christensen said.
Flanders said students are encouraged to ask any questions they have about biking, such as road rules, what bikes are best suited for which activities and whether or not it’s possible or logical to bike in the winter.
USU junior David Griffin, shop manager of Aggie Blue Bikes, said he rides his bike to school in winter weather and said biking in the winter was actually warmer to him than driving to school.
“You stay warmer while riding your bike, but you need to make sure you wear good gloves and something to cover your ears because of all the cold wind that hits you. Slipping is possible, but I find my bike fares much better than a car in winter weather,” he said.
Aggie Blue Bikes will continue to be open to anyone with questions regarding their own bikes, bike rentals, bike maintenance or any other bike related questions. They will continue their free daily rentals throughout the week to any student who wants to participate. Their bikes range from mountain bikes to beach cruisers and tandem side-by side bikes.
“If you want to have a good time, just come, for crying out loud,” Christensen said.
– jessica.black@aggiemail.usu.edu