May is National Bike Month. My new city has embraced the designation and created Nashville Bike Month, coordinating it alongside state officials to host the Tennessee Bike Summit downtown. The summit culminates with a group ride on May 17 called the Tour de Nash. There’s an 8-, 30- and 60-mile route option, and I’ve signed up for the 30-mile trek. (You can sign up, too!)
Also as part of the bike summit, will be the grand opening of U.S. Bicycle Route 23, a bicycle touring route through Nashville! (Which I didn’t even know was a thing! Here’s a link to other U.S. routes.) While I’m ridiculously excited about the summit, the May 17 ride and the new state route from Kentucky to Alabama, I decided to celebrate the month in a bigger way.
I’m going to ride my bicycle every day throughout the month of May.
Every. Single. Day.
Some days, it may be on the trainer. Other days, it may be on a rented or borrowed bike in another city. But every single day, my butt will be in the saddle and my feet will be spinning. Rain or shine, hell or high water. I’ll post photos each day to show where I rode, and I’ll tag everything as #inthesaddle. Can you think of a better way to celebrate and promote National Bike Month?
The more cyclists on the roads, the better awareness there is for driver and cyclist safety. The more information people know, the safer we all become. These things are accomplished when people ride. And I did sign up for not one, but two, major JDRF rides this year. Riding every day will help me prepare for those rides and help me achieve my ultimate goal of raising $6,000 for type 1 diabetes research.
Take time this May to jump on your bike and go spin for a few miles. Pull your old bike out of the garage and drop it off at your local shop for a tune-up. Grab a friend and pedal along your local greenway. You’ll be so happy you did it!
Anyone else want to join me in a commitment to spend 31 consecutive days #inthesaddle?
Victoria, I don’t know if I can handle 31 straight days, but I’m not saying no yet either. I think this is a fantastic idea!
I’m with Stephen: This could happen.
BTW, I’m super-excited to see your “month of cycling” pictures and thoughts.
Hi Victoria,
Thanks for all of the awesome shout-outs! We are so excited for all of the awesome upcoming events as well and especially excited that YOU and so many others will be participating! Are you also all signed up to participate in the National Bike Challenge? Check it out at https://nationalbikechallenge.org/. Good luck on your personal May challenge – we’ll keep an eye out for updates!
Liz – Executive Director, Walk/Bike Nashville