Ladies and gentlemen:

Start your (carbohydrate, protein and lipid fueled) engines! The first Dump the Pump Challenge Pageant Prologue is coming to Savannah Wed May 23 at 6pm. There is no charge to compete.

Dump the Pump Challenge is a cooperative effort with Chatham Area Transit (CAT) and the City of Savannah where 3 competitors race from 12 Oaks Shopping Center to City Hall, to be held this year the morning of Thurs June 21. Competitors include one motorist, one transit rider, and one bicylist. Competitors must park vehicles legally and observe all rules of the road and traffic signals.

Savannah Bicycle Campaign has taken home the gold each of the first three years of this race, and while Frank McIntosh is retiring as a champion, we have no intention of the bicyclist losing the prize in this year’s event. To help choose our best hope for the event, we’re holding this qualifying event – the Bike Pageant Prologue – to test the city cycling skills of potential competitors, along with their poise and appearance both before and after the ride, since after all, this is an event tailor-made for the press!

So, bring your bike and your “A” game, your best cycle-ready workday attire, your grace, and your charisma. Equally weighted components of the competition will be (1) prologue course time, (2) post-ride appearance, and (3) interview. It’s gonna be awesome, so make your plans to attend as a competitor or as a volunteer! Top competitors will walk away with fantastic prizes, the top competitor with the honor to represent Savannah’s bicyclists in the June 21 Dump the Pump Challenge!

We’ll wrap the event with some congratulations and refreshments – don’t miss it! Register below or at this link to compete! To volunteer, please send an email to volunteers@bicyclecampaign.org.

What: Bike Pageant Prologue: a time-trial bike race through Savannah’s city streets, plus judging of post-race appearance and interview.
When: Wed May 23 6pm
Who: Bicyclists hoping to represent SBC in the June 21 Dump the Challenge
Where: Forsyth Park Bandshell
Why: ’cause we can’t lose. We need to put our best rider forward!

FREE REGISTRATION BELOW:

Bicycles Make Savannah Better Photo Contest:

To kick Bike Month off, we’re running a photo contest – winners will get complimentary tickets to the TEDx Creative Coast on Friday, May 18 at the Jepson Center. Send an image that demonstrates our motto, Bicycles Make Savannah Better, via email to info [a t } bicyclecampaign {d ot] org. By sending an image(s), you certify that the rights for use of the image are not held by another entity; by sending, entrants further confer permission for Savannah Bicycle Campaign to use the images. All entries must be received by 11:59pm on Thursday, May 4 – so get working!

Sat May 5, 2012
10am – 2pm Tour de Kids
Where: Lake Mayer Park
Description:
Kids bike ride and kids bike skills activities led by Savannah Bicycle Campaign certified instructors! Registration is $10 and includes an event T-shirt, lunch and access to carnival style activities in thepark and entertainment by Magic Marc. The aim of the bike ride is to raise money and awareness about homelessness in Savannah. Children from local schools and congregations are encouraged to take part in the ride. To register, call 912-790-9446 or email lbrown@ihnsav.org.

Wed May 9, 2012
8:15am – 9:00am National Bike to School Day
Where: Hull Park, 31405
Description:
A combined event for Charles Ellis Montessori and Jacob G. Smith Elementary Schools to celebrate the first-ever National Bike to School Day on May 9, 2012 with a ride from Hull Park to Charles Ellis and JG Smith.

Fri May 18, 2012
8am – 9am 2W2W National Bike to Work Day
Where: Habersham Village to TEDx Creative Coast at the Jepson Center
Description:
meet @ Habersham Village for a bike commute convoy to the Jepson Center. Join us inside for refreshments at the TEDx Creative Coast, and stay for the presentation if you have tickets…

5:15pm -5:30pm Price Street Bike Lane Dedication
Where: St. Julian Street and Price Street Calendar: Savannah Bicycle Campaign Created by: awade1975@gmail.com Description:
City of Savannah dedication of the Price Street bike lane, joined byelected
officials and Savannah city staff. Stay with us for a ride down the lane, finishing at the post-TEDx reception for socializing.

5:30pm – 7:30pm Bike 2 Brilliance social
Where: Price Street Bike Lane dedication to TEDx reception
Description:
Monthly social for bike month! National Bike to Work Day event leaves from the
Price Street Bike Lane dedication and finishes with a social gathering at the closing reception for TEDx Creative Coast at their office on Wright Square.

Wed May 23, 2012
6pm – 8pm Bike Pageant Prologue*
Where: TBA
Description:
Dump the Pump (DTP) Challenge Pageant Prologue: A competition to determine the Savannah Bicycle Campaign’s representative for the annual DTP in June. DTP Challenge is a race from 12 Oaks Shopping Center toCity Hall between a bicyclist, a motorist, and a transit rider. The bicyclist has won each of the first 3 contests and is retiring from competition. This contest will include a bike course with obstacles, judging of workday appearance before and after the race, and an interview. The winner will walk away with fabulous prizes and carry the SBC banner for the DTP Challenge in June.
*prologue- A short individual time trial before a stage race, used to determine which rider wears the leader’s jersey onthe first stage.

It’s on! An Earth Day tradition since 2008, we are bringing back all the fun, music, and street empowerment that goes with a free police escorted ride through downtown Savannah with our fifth Earth Day Wheelie. The ride starts at Park and Bull at the south end of Forsyth Park at 4pm and proceeds to Blowin’ Smoke for the Post Wheelie Dealie, a great party we throw to say thanks to our fantastic membership!

2011 Earth Day Wheelie from Savannah Bicycle Campaign on Vimeo.

Who: All of y’all…
What: A free, police escorted bike ride through downtown, followed by our annual membership party!
When: Sat April 21, 4pm ride-party. 5pm post-ride-party.
Where: Ride-Bull St and Park Ave to Blowin’ Smoke BBQ at 514 MLK Jr. Blvd for the Post Wheelie Dealie.
Why: Celebrate the freedom and fun of sustainable active transportation!

We still need a few volunteers to marshal both rides and to help with valet on 3/29 and 4/7. Volunteer with us and you may get a glimpse of Frank’s famous shimmy (valet volunteers may also get in to see part of the shows, and will definitely get a t-shirt…)

Summary below…

Opening Night Sunset Social Ride
This Thursday (3/22) 6:30pm
Charles Morris Center, 10 E Broad Street

Closing Night Sunset Social Ride
Saturday 4/7 6:30pm
Charles Morris Center, 10 E Broad Street

Bike Valet (free, though your donations are quite welcome)
Thursday 3/22 7-10pm
Bela Fleck & the Flecktones at Trustees Theater (8:30pm show)
The Head & the Heart/Justin Townes Earle at Lucas (7:30pm show)
Valet location: East Broughton by Trustees Theater

Thursday 3/29 7-10pm
Futurebirds/Acollective at Trustees Theater (8:30pm show)
Pink Martini at Lucas Theater (8:00pm show)
Valet location: East Broughton by Trustees Theater

Saturday 4/7 6-10pm
Blow My Blues Away (Lucky Peterson Band/Joe Krown Trio feat. Walter “Wolfman” Washington and Russell Batiste, Jr)
Valet location: Charles Morris Center

Please see savannahmusicfestival.org for more information on the shows and for tickets.

Our February Bike 2 Beer is on deck. Next Tuesday, join your pedal powered pals in our monthly social! Two options – ride with us from Habersham Village starting at 5:30pm (we’ll take the long way) OR meet us at this month’s Bike 2 Beer destination, Foxy Loxy Cafe, starting at 6! Hang out, check out the member giveaways and hear about events on the horizon for the Campaign. The fine folks at Foxy Loxy will be serving up lattes and Lone Star beer for $2 each, not to mention that their craft brews will be 10% off…

WHO: You and yours
WHAT: Bike 2 Beer – Monthly Social!
WHEN: Tues Feb 21, 5:30pm Ride/6pm Social
WHERE: Ride starts in Habersham Village parking lot. Social at Foxy Loxy Cafe, 1919 Bull Street
WHY:  Because it’s there.

In partnership with our friends at the Savannah Tree Foundation, we’re leading a ride out of Daffin Park this Saturday. We’ll go for about 10 miles and see some tree plantings carried out by Savannah Tree Foundation in their mission of maintaining and growing the urban forest of Savannah!

WHO: Everyone! Probably not appropriate for kids under 8 to ride under their own power, but they’re welcome in kid seats, trailers, or tag-a-longs.
WHAT: Arbor Day Ride – 10 miles at a casual pace. Helmets are strongly encouraged.
WHEN: Saturday, February 18, 10am
WHERE: Daffin Park start. Meet on Waring Drive south of the circle.
WHY: The Lorax would want you to go.

First up, we have an array of silent auction items including Savannah Music Festival tickets, a 2012 Midnight Garden Ride package (ride, food, and a front row table), and some great active coastal excursions; full details on those below.  Next, in addition to the Savannah and Georgia bicycle luminaries being honored, speaking and in attendance, we may have a surprise guest or two, but most of all, we are looking forward to seeing you!

Attendees will be treated to a sampling of culinary delights from B Matthews, tasty malted potables from New Belgium Brewing, and the limited run Savannah Bicycle Campaign pint glass pictured here.

Buy your tickets today!

We’re also still looking for a few volunteers to join in the fun – please send an email to volunteers@bicyclecampaign.org if you’re interested.

Earth Day Wheelie Package
Enjoy Dinner for 8 at Blowin’ Smoke BBQ, the annual host of the Earth Day Wheelie Wrap Party.  Get your bike geared up before you go with a $50 gift certificate from Bicycle Link.  VALUE: $170

Midnight Garden Ride Package
Don’t miss SBC’s signature event, the Midnight Garden Ride.  Enjoy 8 registrations to the 2012 ride on September 1, a front row table at Forsyth Park for the concert, a delicious picnic for 8 from Sentient Bean, and bike lights from Princeton Tec so you light up the road as you ride.  VALUE: $530

Bicycle Melodies
Savannah Music Festival has the hottest tickets in town this spring.  Don’t miss out with this great opportunity for two tickets for three different shows, Cajun Dance Party: Lost Bayou Ramblers, Zakir Hussain: Masters of Percussion, and Noon30: Joe Krown Trio. End the day with a bike ride to bar-food in Habersham Village for a cocktail or two.  VALUE: $300.

See Savannah SLOWLY by Bike
What is better than a bicycle built for 2 – how about one built for 15?  Enjoy a ride on the Savannah Slow Ride for 6 and a $100 gift certificate from The Distillery.  VALUE: $250

Get Inspired
Join the creative and inspiring energies of TEDx with two all-access tickets to the May 18^th event at the Jepson Center.  Then keep your creative juices flowing with an annual Telfair Museum of Art Dual/Family Membership and Collection Highlights book.  VALUE: $155

Bikes on the Beach
A relaxing bike ride on the beach is captured in this wonderful black and white photograph by local artist Jane Neville.  VALUE: $300

Champagne and Cupcakes Night Out
Enjoy delicious cupcakes, cool champagne, and a night out with friends with this unique party opportunity for 20 at Gigi’s Cupcakes.  Invitations provided by Heidi Halabuda.  VALUE: $150

Don’t Bike; Paddle Standing Up
Tired of biking?  Try a weekend of stand-up paddleboarding for two with this gift certificate from Half Moon Outfitters. VALUE: $240

Don’t Bike; Paddle
Enjoy the peace and serenity of a kayak trip through Georgia’s barrier islands.  A 3 hour kayak tour for two, leaving from Brunswick or St Simons, with SouthEast Adventure Outfitters.  VALUE: $150

We’re so excited about our first Pedal Medal Award, that we just couldn’t keep it under wraps. Savannah director of Mobility and Parking and friend to cyclists Sean Brandon is our first recipient of the Pedal Medal. He embodies
the idea of building a better Savannah through bicycling. We’re grateful for his dedication to a more bike-friendly city, and look forward to seeing you all at the Pedal Medal Celebration at the historic Kennedy Pharmacy on Thursday February 2. Get your tickets today, or attend as a volunteer!

More in the press release:

For Immediate Release

SAVANNAH BICYCLE CAMPAIGN TO RECOGNIZE THOSE WHO ARE MAKING SAVANNAH BETTER FOR BICYCLING

Bicycle advocacy group will honor City of Savannah employee for implementing cycling infrastructure improvements

Jan. 23, 2012 Savannah, Ga. — The Savannah Bicycle Campaign will recognize Mobility and Parking Services Director Sean Brandon at its first Pedal Medal award ceremony, Feb. 2 from 5:30-7 p.m. at the Kennedy Pharmacy, 323 E. Broughton St. The organization will also recognize Bill Bailey as its volunteer of the year.

“The Savannah Bicycle Campaign has made significant progress toward the goal of making Savannah safer and friendlier for cyclists, and encouraging people to make bicycling part of their daily lives,” said SBC vice chairman John Bennett. “This wouldn’t have been possible without the Sean Brandon’s leadership and vision.”

Brandon has spearheaded the expansion of Savannah’s pavement-marked bicycle lane network, including the Washington Avenue bike lanes and the Price Street bike lane and traffic-calming project, which will be completed later this year. He has also increased the number of bicycle parking locations, including racks at the corner of Broughton and Bull streets and other prominent locations.

“Sean is a public servant who leads by example,” Bennett said. “As a daily bicycle commuter, he demonstrates the practicality of cycling and the considerable benefits of going by bike.”

Tickets are still available for the ceremony, which will feature hors d’oeuvres, drinks and a silent auction. Tickets can be purchased online at http://bicyclecampaign.org/pedal-medal-award-celebration/ or by calling 912-228-3096.

Proceeds from the event will help fund a Bike Restoration and Education Center, to serve as center of cycling activities in Savannah-Chatham, to provide a physical presence for SBC and to allow for collection and rehabilitation of discarded bicycles to be put into safe operating condition. Bikes will be distributed to members of the community who have limited means for transportation and often resort to dangerously ill-fitted, poorly maintained bicycles. Distribution of these bikes and safety equipment will be a means to improve mobility for this at risk community and to allow us to deliver basic bike safety education and equipment.