Get Ready for Bike Week in Portsmouth

This spring, Bike Week is coming to the Seacoast! Okay, we’re celebrating bicycles instead of motorcycles. And no, there won’t be any races or live music. But this May at the library, you can get a (temporary) tattoo, stop by for free drinks, watch a movie, check out some vintage bikes, tune up your ride, cycle in style for a good cause, and learn how to be safe and smart on the road! And trust us: librarians are as tough as bikers.

Vintage Bike Exhibit from collector Zip Zamarchi

May 1 – 31

This month’s exhibit will feature antique bikes, bike lamps & posters from local collector Zip Zamarchi. Don’t miss his talk & demonstration on May 12.

Free Temporary Tattoos

May 1 - 31

Bring your bike helmet to the circulation desk and receive a free Bike Week temporary tattoo!

Bike Fix-A-Thon @ Port City Makerspace

Saturday May 9

Drop In | 10 AM – 2 PM

Portsmouth Public Library and Port City Makerspace join forces to hold a day of bike tune-ups. Bring your bicycle to Port City Makerspace and learn some basic skills from one of the Seacoasters! This is a drop-in event, but to help us prepare, we ask that you register at 766 1720 or by visiting the library reference desk.

Sunday Matinee: The Triplets of Belleville

Sunday May 10

2 - 4 PM

When some of the Tour de France racers are kidnapped and sent to the surreal town of Belleville to be riders for a gambling operation, one boy’s grandmother and his dog set out to save them.

Rated PG-13. 78 minutes.

NH Cycling History with Zip Zamarchi

Tuesday May 12

6 - 8 PM

Collector Zip Zamarchi will give a talk about the history of bike touring in New Hampshire. He will also show how a vintage bicycle worked, and may even allow a rider or two.

Bike & Walk to Work Day: Free Drinks from White Heron

Friday May 15

3 – 5 PM

Commute by bicycle, public transportation, or on foot? Stop by the library for a free drink! Green commuters of all ages (including students) can choose from a range of beverages, including iced & hot tea and chai! Bike & Walk to Work Day is a Seacoast-wide event. Find out more about free commuter breakfasts and other events atseacoastbikes.org.

Cycling Savvy

Saturday May 16

12:30 – 2 PM

Instructor John Brooking will give a short talk and outdoor demonstration. Cycling Savvy is a curriculum designed to teach the principles of Mindful Bicycling:

· empowerment to act as confident, equal road users;

· strategies for safe, stress-free integrated cycling;

· tools to read and problem-solve any traffic situation or road configuration.

Mastering these allows you to ride with ease and confidence. Find out more at cyclingsavvy.org.

Seersucker Ride with Old As Adam

Saturday May 16

Begins at 2 PM

Join us on a leisurely vintage bicycle ride around Portsmouth in your finest summer sporting attire to benefit the Wentworth Lear Historic Houses. The ride will begin at 2 PM at the library, and after touring the town, will end at the Wentworth Gardner house for a lawn party featuring great local eats and drinks, croquet and more. Sponsors include organizer Old As Adam Antiques & Vintage Haberdashery, Ceres Bakery and Seventh Settlement. Suggested donation: $15. All ages.

Register Your Bike!

And this year, don’t forget to register your bike with the Portsmouth Police Department! Find out how at cityofportsmouth.com/police/bikeregistrationform.pdf.