Michiana Bike Week: Free Showers and Prizes For Cyclists
Bike to Work will be celebrated in Michiana throughout the week of June 2 through June 6. Kickoff events will be held in South Bend and Mishawaka on Monday, June 2. The Jon Hunt Plaza, in front of the Morris Performing Arts Center will be the main venue from 7:00 am until 5:30 pm, while a second venue will be at Mishawaka’s Central Park at 5:30 pm. A Corporate Challenge, where corporations and organizations compete for prizes will be ongoing throughout the week.
This is the third annual Michiana Bike To Work Day, and the event has increased in popularity each year. Continuing the most popular activities from last year, there will be live music all day, drawings for prizes throughout the day, bike mechanics on hand for free minor repairs and adjustments, and a 5:30 pm family fun bike ride.
New this year, are The Corporate Challenge, a Bloodmobile, a hot food concession tent, massage concession table, and expanded information tables where experts will be on hand answering questions and distributing information on safety, health, and environmental topics of importance in today’s world.
The main goal of Bike Week is to increase the public’s awareness of bicycles as a practical mode of transportation. Paul Taylor, one of the organizers of this year’s event stated “A lot of people ride around the neighborhood or countryside, and think of riding to the store, or library, or work. Building on that, we are bringing all cyclists together, sharing information and experiences. In doing so, we know that some of those bikers will be riding to work for the first time, and some will continue riding once they see how easy, economical, healthy and fun it is.”
Corporate Challenge, June 2 - 6
Knowing that it’s always more fun to work and play as a team, Michiana businesses and groups can enter the Corporate Challenge. In this event, employees team up to compete against other teams. There are various competitions to keep it fun for everyone. The teams and members sign up and log their Bike-To-Work miles over the internet. All team members get free showers and towels for the week at either the YMCA or Memorial Health and Lifestyle. At the end of the week, winners receive prizes such as catered meals, and discounts at health/fitness facilities. There will also be a “Broken Spoke Award”: a traveling trophy awarded to the team that amasses the most miles. J.V. Peacock, one of the organizers said “Although this is the first year we have had a Corporate Challenge, we are modeling it after popular events at other cities, such as Indianapolis and Portland. It is proving to be very popular here too, where we already have at least two dozen teams enrolled.”
Bike to Work Day, Monday June 2.
Festivities begin at 7:00 am, and wind down at 5:30 pm, in both Mishawaka and South Bend.
South Bend
- 7:00 am – 5:30 pm: Sign up for drawings; register for evening ride; information booths are open.
- 7:00 am – 2:00 pm: Concession tent for breakfast and lunch at reasonable prices
- 7:30 am: Welcoming remarks by Mayor Luecke and Mayor Rea.
- 7:30 am – 5:30 pm: Live entertainment by joHn Kennedy Jr., Cornel Bass, Andyman Hopkins, Reilly O'Connor, Joe Chamberlin, and Dave Simon.
- 7:30 am – 5:30 pm: Professional bike mechanics do lube and adjustments, along with minor repairs. All for free.
- 8:00 am – 5:00 pm: (on the hour) drawings for prizes. Winners need not be present.
- 9:00 am – 1:00 pm: Bloodmobile will be accepting blood donations. All donors will receive a gift of appreciation.
- 9:30 am – 5:00 pm: Concession table offering sports massages at a reasonable price. Massages for relaxation and minor aches/injuries will be done by a nationally certified massage therapist.
- 5:30 pm: Family fun ride, departing Jon Hunt Plaza. Mayor Luecke will lead riders to Potawatomi Zoo, where they will meet a ride contingent from Mishawaka.
Mishawaka
- 5:30 pm: Family fun ride departs Central Park. Riders will have police escort to Potawatomi Zoo, where they will met the South Bend contingent.
