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 30th Annual Watermelon Ride, on Monday, 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 (see below). There is a discount for early registration. 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, email the Event Coordinators at: watermelon at biketcbc dot org

Registration:

Kids Free

(up to 4 with each paid adult)

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

Become a TCBC member on the day of the event and get the member discount!

Become a Volunteer

Interested in volunteering? Please email questions about becoming a volunteer to watermelon{at}biketcbc{dot}org. All volunteers get a neat gift. And if you volunteer more than 3 hours, you ride free.
To volunteer send an email to watermelon{at}biketcbc{dot}org
See volunteer positions here

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 Waiver Form

 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

Monday - July 4, 2011

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.