May is National Bike Month. In celebration, BikeHouston is promoting numerous events. In this e-newsletter, you'll find information on: 1. Bike Bash May 13 2. Free bike repair clinics throughout May 3. Bike to Work day May 16 4. Special Opportunity to meet with METRO May 20 5. Ride to the Astros Game May 25 6. Memorial Ride May 26 Additional information on these events can be found on the BikeHouston Web Site, bikehouston.org. The events calendar is bikehouston.org/calendar.html We'd very much like to see you at these events. Please pass this on to your friends. 1. BIKEHOUSTON ANNOUNCES BIKE BASH BikeHouston announces the second annual "Bike Bash," a social gathering for all Houston-area cyclists. The party is from 6 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, May 13 at the Twelve Spot, 218 Travis. May is national bike month. "We've had a couple of weeks to recover from this year's terrific MS150, so we thought that cyclists would want to celebrate," said Regina Garcia, a BikeHouston board member and event organizer. "Bike Bash is a great opportunity for cyclists to have a conversation beyond saying, 'on your left.'" Representatives from local bike clubs and stores will attend to promote their programs and upcoming rides. Party-goers can enter a door prize contest for the chance to win great bike supplies. Catering will be donated by El Meson; beverages will be available by cash. 2. BIKEHOUSTON ANNOUNCES FREE BIKE REPAIR CLINICS As part of national bike month, several Houston-area bike stores will offer free bike repair clinics. The sessions will be conducted at: Bike Sport from 6 - 8 p.m. Wednesday, May 7. Phone is 713-850-0250. Ask for Jeff. Cyclone Cycles from 7 - 9 p.m. Monday, May 12. Phone is 713-668- 2104. Ask for Matt. Urban Bicycle Gallery from 7 - 9 p.m. Tuesday, May 20. Phone is 713- 863-0991. Ask for Tom. Northwest Cycles from 7 - 9 p.m. Thursday, May 29. Phone is 713-466- 1240. 3. HUNDREDS OF CYCLISTS EXPECTED FOR BIKE TO WORK DAY Hundreds of Houston-area cyclists are expected to turn out for the annual Bike to Work Day on May 16. This Houston will host two inner- city roads plus the Hewlett-Packard ride for its employees. The city of Houston is hosting its annual Bike to Work event, with registration from 8 to 8.30 a.m. Friday, May 16 at the South Mail Baptist Church, 4100 Main St. The ride should last from 8.30 to 9.15 a.m. The ride to City Hall begins at the church then turns east on Alabama to San Jacinto. Ride north on San Jacinto to Walker. Turn west on Walker and ride to City Hall. At 9.30 a.m., city official welcome the riders and provide refreshments. (In the event of rain during the bike ride, riders will end the bike ride at the Bob Lanier Public Works Building at 611 Walker. The welcome will take place in the breezeway) Showers are available at: The Fonde Recreation Center located at Sabine and Memorial Drive (south of Municipal Court and west of Houston Avenue). Showers are also available at the YMCA Downtown. The YMCA Downtown is located at 1600 Louisiana. Bring your picture ID, a towel. say you rode your bike to work and bring a gym bag for your things - lockers will not be available. Join us for a lunch-time rally from 11 am to 2 pm, at the City Hall reflection pool. We will have information on bike safety, fun fitness ideas, bicycle maintenance, health tips and prize drawings (win a folding bike, tickets to fly Southwest Airlines, or other bike-friendly goodies. Refreshments will be available. New this year is the Texas Medical Center, which is from 6:30 a.m. to­ 8:30 a.m. Refreshments, safety information, free bumper stickers and maps will be available for riders. Riders will meet at the John P. McGovern commons. 4. SPECIAL BICYCLE/METRO MEETING MAY 20 Houston's cyclists are being offered a special opportunity to have the undivided ear of METRO planners. The Houston Pedestrian and Bicycle Advisory Committee will meet on Tuesday, May 20 at the downtown library. We will have a presentation from METRO executives and members of the Board of Directors. We have been asked for our input on biking and how we fit into METRO's transportation plan. Also in attendance will be a representative from the Harris County Toll Road Authority. Please pass this information on to the cycling clubs, bike shops, and other organizations you are involved in. A good turnout will show METRO that Houston cyclists comprise a large and diverse group who are very concerned about transportation issues and the quality of life in Houston. 5. RIDE TO THE ASTROS GAME SUNDAY, MAY 25TH Come ride your bike and enjoy a great afternoon at Minute Maid Field watching the Astros battle it out with the Chicago Cubs! Bring your family and Friends! Game Day is Sunday, May 25th. We will meet at Memorial Park near the softball fields on the south side of the park at 11:30 p.m. and leave together. The route to the stadium will take us through the neighborhoods east of the park and then onto the bikelane on Washington St. into downtown. Tickets will be purchased at the gate, and bike racks and security will be graciously provided by the Astros management. To help keep you safe, we require that you wear a helmet and sign the waiver before proceeding to the stadium. Please RSVP to Dan at Dan.Raine@h-gac.com so we can give the HPD an estimated head count - they have offered to assist us with our trek to the stadium. "Take me to the ball game, take me on my bike.....buy me some peanuts and Camelbaks..." 6. MEMORIAL RIDE MAY 26 On Memorial Day, cyclists will gather for a leisurely holiday ride, starting at Memorial Park at 8 am. The ride is also intended to honor the memory of cyclists who have been killed while riding in the past year. More details of this event will be posted in a later email. ==================================================