TRAINING WHEELS
Whether you don’t know beans about bikes (and believe us, there are still folks who think a Huffy is a decent ride) or you’re a seasoned people-powered commuter, MoBo Bicycle Cooperative is geared up to get you on track. It’s a ground-up cooperative network of gearheads and bike enthusiasts who collect old bikes and get them going again. Team Mobo redeems the rides that aren’t too ragged and strips the others for parts. Everyone is a volunteer and everyone has access to MoBo’s bike shop and knowledge base. It’s one of the greenest, funnest clubs you can join in the Queen City and does a lot more for your life expectancy than joining an outlaw motorcycle club. MoBo, 1415 Knowlton Ave., Northside, www.mobobicyclecoop.org. — Stephen Carter-Novotni
All Month
Park it at Park Vine and enjoy a free cup of joe throughout the month. Lock your bike at the Main Street Bike Corral in front of this local environmentally oriented store and fill up your own reusable thermos (or receive a compostable cup) with locally roasted La Terza coffee. 7 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday or 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday. 1202 Main St., Over-the-Rhine, 513-721-7275.
Pump it Up!
Downtown and deflated? Stop by either
one of these Bike Month sponsors and just ask for their pump to fill up
your tires: 7 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday, 8
a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday at Park Vine, 1202 Main St., Over-the-Rhine; 7
a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Saturday, 8 a.m.-8 p.m. Sunday at Coffee Emporium,
110 E. Central Pkwy., Downtown, 513-651-5483.
Weekly Repeating
Sunday Evening Ride
Come on out for a Sunday evening bike
stroll. The pace is moderate, but the trek varies in length depending
on what the group feels like doing. 5:30 p.m. Sundays, Hoffner Park at
Blue Rock Road and Hamilton Ave., Northside.
Thursday Night Slow & Steady Ride
For bicycle enthusiasts as well as folks
who want to learn more about urban riding. The ride is an
hour-and-a-half to two hours in length. 7:30 p.m. Thursdays. Meet at
Hoffner Park at Blue Rock Road and Hamilton Ave., Northside.
East Side to Findlay Market Ride
There’s no better way to start off your
Saturday than an energizing bike ride to Findlay Market. Enjoy a casual
ride, a little shopping and some delicious eats upon your arrival. Then
head on back to the East Side. 7:30 a.m. Saturdays at Coffee Emporium,
3316 Erie Ave., Hyde Park, 513-321-5943.
Bike Depot at Findlay Market
Catch a quick class on how to navigate
via bike in urban areas or learn how Cincinnati is becoming a more
bike-friendly community. 9 a.m.–1 p.m. Saturdays, Findlay Market,
Over-the-Rhine.
Pop Up Bicycle Repair Shop
Support bicycle safety and a good cause!
Stop by Pop Up Bicycle Repair Shop for a quick safety check and some
tuning up. For a fee, MoBo Bicycle Cooperative volunteer mechanics are
on-hand to check air, brakes, cranks and quick releases. Mechanics will
conduct an “ABC Quick Check” to make sure bicycles are safe to ride
before hitting the streets. All proceeds help Chuckie, MoBo shop dog,
who was recently diagnosed with cancer. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturdays
outside Park Vine, 1202 Main St., mobobicyclecoop@gmail.com.
Series Events/Commuter Stations
Bike to Work Week Commuter Stations
Arrive on your bike, and receive free
coffee and goodies! Free mechanical checks also performed on site. This
event is a way to say thank you for doing your part to help keep the
commute enjoyable and your body and planet healthy. Also, meet other
cyclists and learn more about bicycle advocacy and fun in Cincinnati.
7-9 a.m. May 16-21:
• May 16: Coffee Emporium, 3316 Erie Ave., Hyde Park and Cafe Moca, 2835 Woodburn Ave. at Madison Road, Walnut Hills, 513- 281-1333.
• May 17: Roebling Point Bookstore, 306 Greenup Ave., Covington, 859-815-7205 and College Hill Coffee Co., 6128 Hamilton Ave., College Hill, 513- 542-2739.
• May 18: Fuel, 2726 Riverside Drive, East End, 513-533-3835 and Sidewinder, 4181 Hamilton Ave., Northside, 513-542-8321.
• May 19: Sitwells, 324 Ludlow Ave., Clifton, 513-281-7487 and Corner BLOC Coffee Shop, 3101 Price Ave., Price Hill, 513-202-3113.
• May 20: Coffee Emporium, 110 E. Central Pkwy., Over-the-Rhine and two locations at the University of Cincinnati — Martin Luther King Drive at Clifton Avenue and McMillan Avenue at Vine Street — running until 10 a.m. at UC locations only.
Bicycle Happy Hours & Afternoon Commuter Stations
Thank God It’s Bikeday (TGIB)! Stop by and refuel after a long day at work. 4-5:30 p.m. May 16-21, unless otherwise specified:
• May 16: Free homemade chocolate chip cookie and happy hour drink prices. 5-6:30 p.m. MOTR Pub, 1345 Main St., 513-381-6687.
• May 18: Afternoon Commuter Stations. Receive a free stainless steel water bottle if you arrive on bike, an ice water refill with your own container and snacks. 4-7 p.m. at the University of Cincinnati, Martin Luther King Drive at Clifton Avenue; McMillan Avenue at Vine Street.
• May 19: Free slice of pizza from Adriaticos and discounted drinks. Fries Cafe, 3247 Jefferson Ave., Clifton, 513-281-9002.
• May 20: Join the kombucha keg party on the patio! Park Vine, 1202 Main St., Over-the-Rhine.
FOODCYCLING
Queen City Bike Dine is a progressive
dinner by bike. It’s simple: Grab your bike and helmet, buy a ticket to
the ride and hop from one yummy local foodie destination to another.
The fifth installment of this popular Cincinnati tradition is scheduled
for June 4. The group departs promptly at noon from City Flea and will
enjoy a four-course meal with vegan options along a 20-mile tour of the
Queen City of the West. Price TBA. Ticket sales begin May 1 at Park
Vine, 1202 Main St., Over-the-Rhine. Tour starts at noon, June 4, The
City Flea, 1021 Vine St., Downtown. — Stephen Carter-Novotni
The Big Wheel Calendar
• May 7
Flash Class — Bike Safety
Stop by the Queen City Bike table at
Findlay Market and spend 15 minutes learning about bicycle safety.
Classes are casual and are taught every 30 minutes from 10 a.m.-12:30
p.m., Findlay Market, Over-the-Rhine.
MoBo Bicycle Build-Off
Don’t let those spare parts go to waste!
Watch teams of bicycle mechanics race to be the first to build a
serviceable bike out of junk parts. Stay for the fun-filled Mobo
fundraiser, which starts after the race (around 7 p.m.). MoBo Bicycle
Coop offers low-cost mechanical training, parts and community for
bicycle enthusiasts and those who want to learn more about cycling. 6
p.m.-11 p.m., Mayday, 4231 Spring Grove Ave., Northside, 513-541-0999.
• May 8
BikeFlix
Bike in to MOTR Pub for a bike-themed
movie, drinks and free popcorn! 7:30 p.m., MOTR Pub, 1345 Main St.,
Over-the-Rhine, 513-381-6687.
• May 9
UC Monday Night Film Series
Beyond the Motor City. Free. 7 p.m. Main Street Cinema in Tangeman University Center, University of Cincinnati, Clifton Heights.
• May 10
Bikes & BBQ
Happy-hour-priced drinks for anyone who
bikes in, all day long! Plus, show your helmet and receive a free
gourmet pizza and other treats. 6:30 p.m., The Drinkery, 1150 Main St.,
Over-the-Rhine, 513-827-9357.
• May 14
Flash Class — Commuting Basics
Stop by the Queen City Bike table at
Findlay Market and spend 15 minutes learning about commuting by
bicycle. Classes are casual and are taught every 30 minutes 10
a.m.-12:30 p.m., Findlay Market, Over-the-Rhine.
Bikes Brews
Cycling under the influence? Join this
group of partying peddlers as they navigate through Cincinnati’s urban
core, refueling with craft beer at a series of local venues. The route
begins at the Findlay Market Biergarten and proceeds to the Samuel
Adams Brewery, Rock Bottom, Hofbrauhaus, Keystone Bar & Grill, The
Holy Grail, The Lackman, Neons Unplugged and concludes at Market Wines.
1 p.m. until whenever, Starts at Findlay Market Beer Garden, 19 West
Elder St., Over-the-Rhine.
• May 15
Bike 2 Baseball
Go Reds! Gather up all of your baseball
enthusiast friends and head out for a bike ride to the Great American
Ball Park. Choose between two locations for your departure — the
Hartwell Kroger or Oakley Square. Then cheer on the Reds against the
St. Louis Cardinals with your cyclist friends from either the Sun/Moon
Deck or the View Level. Bike racks will be available, but please bring
your own bike lock. Tickets available at www.queencitybike.com. Rides
leave designated locations at 11 a.m.
• May 19
Bike to Work Day Celebration
Stop by Fountain Square to learn the
latest about bicycle events, organizations and rides everywhere in the
region. Fun and funky spectacles include the 2011 Tricycle Relay
Olympics. 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Fountain Square, Downtown.
MoBo Women’s Night — Open Shop
This is a space for women and those who
identify as women to work on bikes without men in the shop. Whether
you’re a seasoned mechanic or you’ve never picked up a wrench, this is
a safe space to work. Come on down! MoBo Bicycle Co-op offers low-cost
mechanical training, parts and community for bicycle enthusiasts and
those who want to learn more about cycling. 6-9 p.m. MoBo, 1415
Knowlton St., Northside.
• May 20
Breakfast on the Purple People Bridge
Cyclists are welcomed to the Newport side of the river with a free breakfast. 7-9 a.m. Purple People Bridge, Newport.
• May 21
Flash Class — Gearing Up for Bikes
Stop by the Queen City Bike table at
Findlay Market and spend 15 minutes learning about the new drive trains
available. Several types will be on display. Classes are casual and are
taught every 30 minutes 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Findlay Market,
Over-the-Rhine.
No. 1 for Fun!
Tour some of the Queen City’s most
popular cultural gems by biking this route, which roughly follows the
No. 1 bus line. Visit Music Hall, Fountain Square, Aronoff Center for
the Arts, The School for Creative and Performing Arts and Eden Park.
Whether you’re new to Cincinnati or just want to learn more about all
the city has to offer, you will enjoy great people, views and fun by
joining in on the ride. Meet at 2 p.m. Coffee Emporium, 110 E. Central
Pkwy., Downtown. Free parking available around the corner in Coffee
Emporium Warehouse lot.
Behind the Scenes Bike Tour of the Zoo
Become a member of Queen City Bike by
May 21 and be automatically entered into a raffle to win one of 30
spots in a “behind the scenes” bike tour of the zoo with Thane Maynard.
www.queencitybike.com for details.
• May 22
Ohio River Trail Tour
Interested in learning more about how
the eastern suburbs will eventually connect with Cincinnati’s urban
core? Join the Ohio River Trail Tour, which will traverse the completed
sections of the Ohio River Trail and Bike & Mobility Center at
Central Riverfront Park. Receive information about future phases of the
bike trail. The ride is approximately six miles one way. Starts 10 a.m.
at the parking lot across From Lunken Airport Terminal, 262 Wilmer
Ave., East End.
• May 23
UC Monday Night Film Series
B.I.K.E. at Main Street Cinema. 7
p.m. Tangeman University Center on University of Cincinnati’s West
Campus, University of Cincinnati, Clifton Heights.
• May 28
Flash Class — Basic Bike Maintenance
Stop by the Queen City Bike table at
Findlay Market and spend 15 minutes learning about basic bicycle
maintenance. Classes are casual and are taught every 30 minutes 10 a.m.
and 12:30 p.m., Findlay Market, Over-the-Rhine.
• May 29
Bike Ride for a Greener Covington
All proceeds from this trek go to the
Covington Farmer’s Market Community Gardens. Eco-fair following the
ride. Bicycle demonstrations, food, music, raffle prizes and more. Be
one of the first 200 to register and receive a swag bag. $20 with
pre-registration at www.bikecovington.org. 10 a.m. Goebels Park, Sixth
and Philadelphia streets., Covington.
