Wednesday Night Bike Ride at Crank Arm

Pedal to the Medal

In April 2021, Do, Web Exclusive by Anna BresciaLeave a Comment

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Grab your helmets and shine up your spokes for Raleigh Bike Month, which kicks off May 1! Whether you’re a novice rider or fit for the Tour de France (kudos to you), there are some wheelie great opps to get out and ride in Raleigh this month. Here, we provide all the deets on where to ride and how to participate in all the festivities. Ride on!

Why Bike?

Not only is cycling a perfect excuse to enjoy the outdoors (and save some gas money), it’s also fab for fitness. According to Harvard Health, cycling helps build up strength and muscle for everyday activities, like climbing stairs or, ya know, walking to the fridge for ice cream (all about balance). … It’s also easy on the joints, making it a good op for people of all ages. 

What’s more… you’re pedaling for the planet. To wit, Citrix Cycle, those fun orange bikes stationed all over Downtown, announced that this year they’ve already reduced carbon emissions by over 10 tons! So, when possible, ditch your car for a two-wheeler to do your part for Mother Earth. 

Citrix Cycle

Need a Bike?

Oak City Cycling is your one-stop-shop for biking, offering everything from bikes to accessories to parts—and if they don’t have what you need, they’ll special order it for no extra change. Additionally, a 100% satisfaction guarantee with a 12-month warranty takes the stress away from finding the perfect bike for you.

If you’re looking to bike on a budget, Apex Bike Shop restores donated bikes to good as new. And if you’re not ready to spring for a bike just yet, you can always hop on a Citrix Cycle to zip around the city, no strings—er, chains—attached.

Places to Bike?

There’s arguably no better way to truly get to know Raleigh than by bike (S/O city bike lanes!). The OG Capital Area Greenway Trail System is a paved trail that runs throughout the city—and beyond—and offers stops at local parks and other attractions. It would take awhile to bike the whole thing, but if you’re up for the challenge, roll on out.

Looking for a more intense ride? Check out Umstead State Park’s off-road multiuse trail that’s perfect for thrill-seekers and avid bikers. Beautiful wooded views provide plenty of beautiful photo ops. Do it for the ’Gram.

Or, take the urban scenic route by going on a leisurely ride through Historic Oakwood. The gorgeous houses provide the perfect distraction from how sore your legs are—and pizza, beer and ice cream are on the ready to refuel your post-bike sesh (or during—no judgment). 

Oak City Cycling

When to Bike?

May 21 is National Ride Your Bike to Work Day, so make sure you wear something appropriate for pedaling to the office. If you’re still working from home, take a coffee break and roll out to your local java shop for a cupajoe.

Beyond National Ride Your Bike to Work Day, plenty of other other reasons abound to get out and ride. Oaks & Spokes wins the award for the most unique Raleigh Bike Month event by far: bike polo. With its cultlike following, the game (to be held May 22 at the Fayetteville Street Dine Out Downtown event) is sure to be a competitive one. Check out Oaks & Spokes’ Bike Month calendar for a multitude of other bike-related events happening next month, from the Mother’s Day Picnic Ride (May 9) to Trophy Brewing’s Pedal for Pies (May 30).

And you know what goes great with biking? Beer. Here for you: Crank Arm hosts a socially distanced Wednesday night bike ride every week at 6:30pm, followed by brews with the crew, and on May 26, the brewery is bringing back its popular Bike Month event, Light up the Night Ride.

And if your body’s feeling tire-d and in need of some #selfcare, the City of Raleigh is hosting a virtual bike yoga class every Wednesday afternoon dedicated to poses and stretches specifically for bikers. Namaste!

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