Carson City's Muscle Powered celebrates May as Bicycle Month
Carson City’s Muscle Powered, a bicycle- and pedestrian-advocacy nonprofit, is joining the nationwide Bike Month celebration during May.
“We are excited to be gathering in person after a long, hard year,” said Muscle Powered president Chelsea Kincheloe. “During the past year, we’ve worked with the city to develop and open new trails for the Carson City public to enjoy. It’s been great to see so many people on bikes, exploring and venturing out on both the paved and off-road trails.”
Kinchloe pointed out that this is the first time Muscle Powered has held in-person gatherings since last year’s shutdown. These will include Bike to Work Week; an evening Ride of Silence, which is part of a national campaign that recognizes bicyclists’ lives lost while sharing the road; Bike to Work Day; a one-hour trash pickup, or “Trash Mob,” that participants will be encouraged to bike to; and a “Choose Your Cruise” ride. The celebration will conclude with a Bike/Gear Swap on May 29.
“We’re especially excited about the ‘Choose Your Cruise,’ which was board member Christy Chamberlain’s idea last year during our virtual event,” said Kincheloe. “This is along the lines of the westside cruises, only on the east side. Many of these trails are already popular, but we anticipate that riding them together as a group will be a lot of fun for both families and friends.” Riders will get three options: a five-mile pavement ride, a river cruise, or a more technical, off-road ride. As in past years, participants are encouraged to come in costume.
Kincheloe added that this year will be the first time ever Muscle Powered has held a bike swap. Proceeds from the event will benefit Muscle Powered.
Two events normally associated with Bike Month, the Tour de Carson and Muscle Powered’s bike party, will not take place. Organizers hope to be able to hold the Tour de Carson later this year.
Events will be limited in attendance with pre-registration required, and safety protocols for COVID-19, including masks and social distancing, will be enforced. Riders must also wear a helmet and follow the rules of the road. Blinky lights are also encouraged.
For a complete list of Bike Month dates and times, and to register for events, visit musclepowered.org and hit the “Bike Month” tab, or visit their Calendar page.
Since 1998, Muscle Powered has worked to make Carson City healthier for all citizens as well as safer and more accessible for bicycling and walking through education and advocacy, the promotion of bicycle- and pedestrian-friendly infrastructure, and developing and maintaining recreational trails throughout the city.