The streets of Boston became a car-free zone yesterday as over 5,000 cyclists eagerly pedaled their way along an eerily spacious Storrow Drive and explored the historic city streets as part of the 7th Annual Hub On Wheels citywide bike ride on Sunday, September 25th, 2011.
Starting and finishing at City Hall in downtown Boston, with three different routes for riders to choose from (10, 30 or 50 miles), the celebration ride organized by Boston Bikes was a huge success, as City Hall Plaza became a hub of activity with cyclists of all stripes lining up for the 8 am rollout. Title sponsor TD Bank had a multitude of volunteer representatives on hand to distribute goodie bags to participants and spectators alike, and hundreds of other loyal staffers manned the volunteer tables laden with Cape Cod Potato chips, orange slices, Fig Newtons, and vats of Gatorade to replenish tired and hungry riders. They also staffed a full cheering section complete with cowbells and banners along the start line.
A lively and entertaining block party was in full swing all day, with live music, food by Hub on Wheels partner Boloco, who provided inspired burritos and other tasty fare, as well as displays and vendor booths featuring bicycle gear and information from Giant, Mavic, Pedro's, Hubway, MassBike, Boston Cyclists Union, free massages in the TD Bank tent, and samples of Lärabar energy bars and authentic Italian ices.
Boston Bikes Director Nicole Freedman and Mayor Tom Menino welcomed the huge crowd assembled, and at 8 o'clock sharp the participants began the rollout along the streets of Boston. Entry numbers were so high this year that it took nearly 25 minutes before the final rider had crossed the start line! After her remarks to the crowd, Freedman, a former Olympic cyclist and national cycling champion who is affectionately known as the "Boston Bike Czar," hopped on her bicycle to join in for part of the city ride before her afternoon stint racing in the Women's Professional Criterium at 2:30 pm.
I had the pleasure of completing the 10-mile route on a comfortable Hubway bike with several staff members from the hugely successful bikeshare program recently introduced to Boston, and we happily pedaled alongside a diverse mix of cyclists - devout roadies in full lycra kit, moms, dads, and kids on their trusty family bikes, recumbent enthusiasts, cargo bikes, mountain bikes, unicycles, and even a bike equipped with a drum kit! It's operator, Galen, who was also volunteer support crew for the ride, was a musical bike genius – playing the drums and cymbals to the delight of everyone while pedaling along.
The event was a huge success, raising a record amount of funding in support of the Technology Goes Home program. In addition, title sponsor TD Bank awarded a check in the amount of $10,000 to the Boston Bike School. The Boston Bicycle School is a Boston based non-profit which runs a Pro-Development cycling team and after-school cycling programs. Their mission is to propagate the joys of cycling and develop young riders; allowing them a chance at success, while emphasizing that riding bikes is fun and healthy. Boston Bike School had several of it's young riders competing in the Juniors Invitational Race, which started the afternoon's activities of the TD Bank Mayor's Cup Professional Criterium Race yesterday.
In addition, TD Bank pledged to continue their support of the TD Bank Mayor's Cup Pro Cycling Race Series for the next three years in Boston.
Hopefully by now you're hooked, and have already marked your calendar for next year's 8th Annual Hub on Wheels. I am, and definitely plan on taking part again in Boston's premiere cycling event in celebration of the Mayor's office and their exciting mission to promote Boston as a world-class cycling city.
I might even try the 20-mile route next year...
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