Image courtesy of Vancouver Bike Rave
As one of the most bike-friendly city in Canada (only second behind Victoria, BC according to UBC Cycling in Cities Research Program), Vancouverites take their cycling seriously.
Sometimes a little too seriously (looking at you, head-to-toe spandex Seawall speeders). Which is why it’s refreshing to celebrate Velopalooza, a community-driven festival celebrating bike fun in Vancouver.
First started in 2010 with themed bike rides with food, costumes, and rides for kids, Velopalooza is now a two-week celebration from June 14 – 30, 2019.
With 30+ themed rides and new ones getting added to the schedule regularly, it might be hard to choose which bike ride to join. For a good place to start, check out the list below for five fantastical bike rides that you’ve gotta join for 2019 Velopalooza in Vancouver:
Image courtesy of NaojiY | Inside Vancouver Flickr Pool
1. Dial-a-Doo Wig Ride
June 15, 2019 – 2:00 pm – 7:00 pm
A fun ride focused on funky hair. Wear a wig and dress up in costume (if you want), and get ready to have fun! Click here to learn more.
2. Soft Serve Wednesday Bike Polo
Wednesday, June 19 at 5:30pm until dusk.
A more affordable way to play polo, with bikes! Want to try something new? Always been curious about how bike polo works? On Wednesday, June 19, all newbies are prioritized and regulars will be on hand to provide loaner gear and nerd out about polo. You can play a few non-competitive games of pick-up, or just to say hi and check things out. Click here to learn more.
3. Summer Solstice Bike Rave
Friday, June 21, 9:00pm – 12:00am
Bikes, Scooters, Roller Blades, Skateboards, Legs, anyone is welcome to the first mobile dance party of the summer. No information about where it starts yet, but keep an eye on the Facebook event page for more details closer to the event itself.
Image courtesy of ItzaFineDay | Flickr.com
4. Big June Critical Mass!
Friday, June 28, 5:00pm – 10:00pm
One of Vancouver’s more notorious events, Critical Mass is when bikes take to the streets and come together to cause traffic mayhem. But, if you’re on a bike – man is it fun. Costumes and decorated bicycles, trailers, signs, flags, noisemakers, gettoblasters, sound systems, drums, and wildly modified bicycles are all highly encouraged! Click here to learn more.
5. The 9th Annual Pink Floyd The Sea Wall!
Saturday, June 29, 8:30pm – 11:30pm.
On November 30th 1979 Pink Floyd released an album called “The Wall”. 40 years later on June 29th, 2019 a group of elevated individuals will ride the Sea Wall during the entirety of the album which is 1 hour and 21 minutes. Participants will ride under the moon this night but all sorts of trippy lights are appreciated to keep everyone comfortably numb. Click here to learn more.
But, if none of the rides listed on the extensive event calendar interest you, you can always suggest your own themed ride! That’s the beauty of a community-run festival.
Velopalooza runs from June 14 – June 30 and features group cycling adventures for varying levels of expertise and for riders of all ages. If you don’t have a bike of your own, you could always try renting a Mobi bike share for the day!
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