Bike-A-Palooza 2010

Mark you calendars because Saturday June 26th is Sioux Falls’ second (2nd) annual Bike-A-Palooza! I’m giving an advanced heads up because certain events will take creative effort before the actual event. As always, this event is going to be held at the favorite biker bar – Monk’s House of Ale Repute.

Before we get to that I need to mention the most important reason this event even exists is to provide bicycles to under privileged children. A huge chunk of the proceeds purchases the bikes. The secondary reason this event exists is to celebrate all things bikey!

This year the kids may look forward to more events. There will be the ever-popular slalom race.

This year we’re adding a “ride the plank” contest. Picture a sixteen foot (16’) long 2 x 6 (for those not in the know, a 2 x 6 is actually 1 ½” thick and 5 ½” wide) will be placed on the ground (flat side down, not on edge). Kids will try to ride the length. A full-length ride is best and in the case more than one (1) kid can do that, the slowest time to ride it wins. If a kid rolls off, no worries, they’re only 1 ½ inches off the ground.

There is also a wheel roll contest. Let your imagination run wild on this one (1) as I’m not revealing much other than the name.

For the non-kids (notice I’m not using the term “adults” as some of the participants are “adults” in years old only, certainly not maturity) there are repeat events and new events.

One (1) repeat event is the foot down competition. And, back by popular demand, the bike joust will return. The change in this event is each match is the best two (2) out of three (3) but the tournament will NOT be double elimination.

For the new events we’ll have a “ride the (skinnier) plank” contest. It works the same as for the kids except we’ll be using a 2 x 4 (1 ½” x 3 ½” actual) instead of a 2 x 6.

Look for a bunny hop contest. For those not in the know, a bunny hop is a rider lifting his or her bike off the ground without the use of a ramp. For the contest think of a limbo contest, but, instead of the bar going lower it’s going to go higher.

Now, here’s the event that needs the big heads up. This year we’re proud to introduce – wait for it………….- Chariot Races! It’s Ben Hur on bikes! Start recruiting one (1) more person for your team. One (1) roller pulls the chariot and the other (2) roller rides the chariot. Plastic and cardboard swords for swatting other competitors is highly encouraged. Here’s the kicker, YOU (and your teammate) need to build your chariot. I’ve got my ideas and I’m not sharing them with you. I am going to take names on whoever wants to be on my team. The winning applicant should note I like beer. The one (1) rule you NEED to know, the rider must ride the chariot on their feet. No sitting, kneeling, or levitating.

This year we’re going to have cool prizes, great beer, even more live music, and special give-aways. As I’d mentioned, mark your calendars!!!

There you have it, an advanced heads up on Bike-A-Palooza!

Ride On.