Emcee: John Sinibaldi, Jr., a fixture on the St. Petersburg bicycle scene, will announce the array of events throughout the day. John’s dad was a legendary bike racer in St. Pete and John is carrying on his father’s legacy of infusing people with a passion for bicycling.

 

Trike Races: A favorite for young and old alike. Last year, parents and kids pedaled trikes to compete for free bikes – and were part of some great photo ops. SWFBUD brings back the trike races this year and Trek is donating two kids’ bikes to the winners. Don’t forget your cameras!

 

Bike Rodeo:  The St. Petersburg Department of Transportation and Parking will be on hand to fit kids for helmets and teach them safety skills. Free helmets are limited, so come early. The Bike Rodeo is scheduled from 12 Noon to 2 p.m.  

 

Bicycle Groups/Agencies: Our area has some of the most noted advocates and organizations in Florida . Our participants include Tampa BayCycle, a bicycle commuter initiative that recently received an international commuter transportation award; city of St. Pete Department of Transportation CityTrails program, honored by the League of American Bicyclists; and Hillsborough County MPO Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Committee, honored as BPAC of the Year by the Florida Bicycle Association.

 

Bicycle Clubs: No matter where you live or your interest level, there’s a bicycle club for you. Participants include: SWAMP, the Tampa Bay Freewheelers, the St. Petersburg Bicycle Club and the Suncoast Cycling Club.  The University of South Florida Cycling Team will be on hand, too.

 

Bicycle Rides: Local bike clubs will be leading rides to the Bicycle Bash by the Bay. To hook up with a bike ride in Tampa/ Hillsborough County, contact Reuben Watson, president of the Tampa Bay Freewheelers at rubenwatson@hotmail.com; in central Pinellas County, contact Tom Ferrero, president of the Suncoast Cycling Club at bikallucan@mindspring.com; and in St. Pete, contact Tim Butts, president of the St. Pete Bike Club at timbutts@wilsonmiller.com.

 

Demos: Have face time with bicyclists who will discuss bike repairs, mountain biking, cyclocross, bike camping and bike-commuting. SWFBUD member Bicycle Outfitters will show you basic repairs like fixing a flat. SWAMP’s Garry Rosseter of Revolution Bicycles will show mountain biking. Cyclocross organizer Lance Riddile will demo his sport, which is like a bicycle steeplechase. Brian Sherman of Carrollwood Bicycle Emporium shows you how to bike and camp. And bike commuters will be on hand to show you how to bike to work.

 

BMX: Look for the big 40-foot Profile Racing trailer. Profile Racing, a St. Petersburg company, will put on a BMX race demo, complete with racers wearing full gear coming out of a starting gate.   

 

Swap Meet: Bring your bicycle gear and make some bucks. A swap meet is like a fun garage sale for bicyclists. Bicycle Outfitters and Carrollwood Bicycle Emporium held successful swap meets this past year. Swap Meet fee to sell: $10.

Bike Collections: Enjoy the rare antique BMX collection of Brian Bigelow, of Oliver’s Cycle Sports and the low-riding choppers of Robert “Bullet” Ferrin of Carrollwood Bicycle Emporium.

 

Best of Show: $100 cash prize to the bicycle judged as freakiest of the Bash. Cash prize is courtesy of Bullet of CBE.

 

Old Bicycle Collection Station: Do you have a tattered bike you want to donate? Bring it and receive a free bike item. We will have an area set up to collect donated old bikes.

Vendors: Stroll by the booths of businesses and companies that will show products and services used by bicyclists.

Bike Stunts: Marvel at the flatland moves of Mike Vavala of Oliver’s Cycle Sports and cyclists catching air off ramps.

 

Friends of SWFBUD: When you see them, please thank these folks for helping SWFBUD put on the Bicycle Bash by the Bay -- John Sinibaldi, Jr., Chip Haynes, Regions Bank, Hillsborough County MPO Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Committee, Trek, Quality Bicycle Products, St. Petersburg Department of Transportation CityTrails and On Your Mark Performance Center.