Three of the best things in America are the Fourth of July, bicycling, and watermelon. And there's an opportunity to enjoy all three of them at the 27th Annual Watermelon Ride, on Friday, July 4th.  It's a fun and sociable family ride - with route options of 15, 25, and 55 miles - followed by an excellent Fourth of July picnic at Snail Lake in Shoreview. You can start riding in the morning, anytime between 7:30 and 10 AM, at the Deluxe Corporation parking lot on Victoria, just south of 694. Click here for a map to the ride start. It'll be a great day to go for a bike jaunt, eat and socialize at the picnic, and get home in plenty of time for the fireworks.

Here are just some of the benefits of participating in this great holiday event:

• Pre-Ride Bike Rodeo

• A choice of routes - 15, 25, or 55 miles.
  
  The 15-mile route uses the paved trail system surrounding the Shoreview area. It's ideal for families with children, or for folks who are just getting into cycling.
  
  The 25-mile route is a fully-supported, fairly flat route on quiet suburban roads.
  
  The 55-mile "Independence Route" adds a rural loop to the 25-mile route and will appeal to riders who want a few extra miles. There's no support on the rural loop, so riders doing this must be able to fix flats and make minor repairs.

• Full support on the 15 and 25-mile routes.

• For the 25 and 55-mile riders, a delicious rest stop at the Tamarack Nature Center.

• At the end of the ride, a superb fresh picnic lunch, with (of course) lots of watermelon.

• Route Maps will be handed out at the registration table on the day of the ride.

So don't delay! Register On-Line or use the registration form. There is a discount for early registration (end of June 4th). There's also a discount for TCBC members, so if you've been thinking about joining, now is a great time. There's a waiver on the back of the registration form to speed your check-in on the day of the ride. Every rider needs to read and sign the waiver, and parents/guardians must sign for participating minors.

For more information, contact the Event Coordinators at

Registration:

Kids Free

For Members and Non-Members
(under 18, must be accompanied by an adult)

Become a TCBC member
on the day of the event, receive a
discount and a free map clip!
Please check one category only.

Finally, check the volunteer opportunities. All volunteers putting in at least three hours to help will ride for free.

Volunteer Schedule

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Volunteer list
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Come early to participate in our

Pre-Ride BIKE RODEO

Safety First! Volunteers will teach you bike safety and some new riding skills.

• Learn to approach intersections and driveways safely
   
• Have your helmet checked and adjusted for proper fitting
   
• Challenge your kids and yourself - ride the bicycle course and learn these new bicycle skills:
  • Figure 8's
  • Circles
  • Parallel line

• Erik Saltvold (aka Erik The Bikeman) will be working with the rodeo from 8:30 until 9:30. Click here for more info.

Friday - July 4, 2008

You can always register on the day of the ride! Pre-fill the Registration Form, write the check out to Twin Cities Bicycling Club & bring to the registration table.

Registration:
7:30 to 9:00am - 55 mile route
8:30 to 10 am - 15 & 25 mile routes

Start Location:
Deluxe Corporation Parking Lot
3660 Victoria Street (south of 694)
Shoreview, MN

Mechanical Support
By County Cycles
At start - 8:00 - 9:00am
At Tamarack Rest Stop - 9:30 - noon

Ride Support
Full Support on the 15 & 25 mile routes

Weather: We ride rain or shine

Rest Stops At:
- Tamarack Nature Center
- Vadnais Lake

- Picnic lunch with lots of watermelon at Snail Lake Park for all riders is included in registration.

- Properly worn helmets are
required on all riders.