This Feb. 19-20, while Seattle skiers are making turns in the mountains, the Rainy City’s cyclists will be gearing up for spring riding at the Group Health Seattle International Bicycle Expo.
Since 1989, the Cascade Bicycle Club (CBC) has organized a weekend of bicycle demos, panel discussions on fitness, touring and training, children’s activities, speeches by professional cyclists and dozens of giveaways to help Seattle residents prepare for a summer of biking.
Since holding its first Expo at The Mountaineers Clubhouse for 3,500 people 16 years ago, Cascade has tested various locations, including the Seattle Center and the Stadium Exhibition Center. But this year, attendees will be able to bike along the Burke Gilman Trail to reach the Expo’s new venue: historic Hangar #27 at Warren G. Magnuson Park, located at Sand Point in northeast Seattle.
“Magnuson Park is more bike-friendly than last year’s venue,” says Cascade’s Marketing Director, Scott Marlow. The park offers 120,000 square feet of outdoor space that can be used for parking and outdoor activities including bicycle test rides, a post-season cyclocross race and various clinics.
“The hangar is much more conducive to taking bikes outdoors,” says Marlow. “People will be able to test bikes right next to Lake Washington with the Cascade Range in the background.”
In addition, Hangar #30 will house youth clinics on Saturday, Feb. 19 and the 2005 Seattle Bike Swap on Sunday, Feb. 20. Sponsored by Outdoors NW and organized by Pazzo Velo, otherwise know as the First Rate Mortgage Cycling Team, the swap will include both new and used bikes and bike-related products.
Marlow expects to see 9,000 – 10,000 people at this year’s Expo, which will include speakers such as professional mountain biker, Marla Streb, and former professional racer and author of, “The Tour de France Companion,” Bob Roll. The Expo will also feature bicycle maintenance demos, information about recreational and competitive rides in the Puget Sound, hourly giveaways and a grand prize of an Alaskan outdoor vacation for two.
To learn more about the Group Health Seattle International Bicycle Expo, the Seattle Bike Swap and the Cascade Bicycle Club, log onto www.cascasde.org.
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