Sonoma County Bike Expo is Sunday

The Sonoma County Bicycle Expo is your destination for all things bike! Produced by Sonoma County Bicycle Coalition (SCBC) and presented by Rabobank, this celebration of bicycling returns to Santa Rosa on August 19th for the third year in a row. With new features, great new partners, excellent food and drink, and new and returning vendors, the Expo promises to be the best yet.

The Expo runs from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., but the day begins at 8:00 with the annual “Ride About Town.” The 10-mile, easy-paced, family-friendly ride is led by Sonoma County Bicycle Coalition’s Street Skills instructor, Tom Helm, and highlights new bicycle facilities in Santa Rosa, such as bike lanes and shared lane arrows installed recently on Sonoma Avenue. It’s free to ride, and participants will enjoy complimentary coffee by Gaga Café, and breakfast treats from Whole Foods Market. At least nine elected officials from throughout Sonoma County are confirmed to join the Ride About Town, and last year the ride drew 200 participants. Meet at 2^nd and E Street, Downtown Santa Rosa, at 8:00 a.m.

The Ride About Town returns to the Expo venue just as the festivities are getting underway!

Children are welcome at the free, all ages event! From 10 a.m. – 1 p.m., Sonoma County Bicycle Coalition’s Safe Routes to School Program will offer fun on-bike skills activities and low-cost helmets for kids.

Love to race, but don’t take yourself too seriously? Bike Monkey’s Small World Dirt Crit is for you! The street course – for fat tire bikes only – features ramped turns, chicanes, and tight quarters. Racing all day on 2^nd Street between D & E!

 For the bike-geek or maker type, VeloGenesis unites bicycle builders and components manufacturers in a cooperative process that will produce at least two custom bikes during the Expo. Not only will VeloGenesis attendees stand witness to this unique spectacle... they’ll have an opportunity to WIN one of these bikes! Details at www.bikesonoma.org/velogenesis.

The Sonoma County Bicycle Expo also features an array of vendors offering new and used bicycles, parts, gear, clothing, and accessories. A kinetic art bike parade arrives around 11:00 a.m., BMX performers do stunts all day, street musicians create a great atmosphere, plus there’s excellent food and drink, including beer by New Belgium Brewing and wine by Ravenswood.

“The Sonoma County Bicycle Expo offers something for everyone from those new to biking to racers to custom bike enthusiasts,” says Sonoma County Bicycle Coalition Outreach Director, Sandra Lupien. “Even if you don’t think you’re a ‘bicycle person,’ I bet you’ll catch the spirit here!”

The Sonoma County Bicycle Expo is sponsored by Rabobank, Sonoma County Whole Foods Markets, Santa Rosa Cycling Club Ravenswood, New Belgium Brewing, St. Francis Winery, and BikeParners.net.

Event Details:

What:            Sonoma County Bicycle Expo, including the Velogenesis exhibition
Features:      Vendors, food, exhibits, bike ride, racing, bike building, raffles, free valet bike parking
When:           Sunday, August 19^th, 2012, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. (Ride About Town at 8:00 a.m.)
Where:          Santa Rosa, California, E Street between D & E, and the parking lot at E and 2^nd Street
Admission:   Free
Info:               www.BikeSonoma.org/bicycle-expo; 707-545-0153; events@bikesonoma.org
Vendors:       www.bikesonoma.org/vendors
Volunteers: events@bikesonoma.org; 707-545-0153

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