May 2024 Grand Valley Bike Month Schedule

Turn in the car keys for the day and bike for transportation, commute to work or school. Pedal to work and refuel with a FREE breakfast presented by City of Fruita and City of Grand Junction.

Wednesday, May 1 at 7:00 AM-9:00 AM

• Grand Junction City Hall (250 N. 5th Street): Breakfast burritos, fruit, granola bars, and water.
• Fruita Civic Center (325 E. Aspen Street): Bagels and Muffins from Einstein Bagels and coffee from Bestslope Coffee. Enjoy a group ride with Fruita staff following the breakfast.
• Community Hospital (2351 G Rd. - Near Labor & Delivery): Free snacks and swag.

Join the City of Grand Junction for a group ride to the free breakfast at Grand Junction City Hall. Riders can meet at one of four locations and ride with a group to Grand Junction City Hall. Route planning assistance is available for riders navigating their bike commute to work from City Hall.

Wednesday, May 1 at 7:30 AM (all meet-up locations)

• Sherwood Park - Meet at the corner of West Sherwood & South Sherwood Dr., south end of the park
• Lincoln Park - Meet at 12th & Gunnison
• Eagle Rim Park - Meet by the flag pole
• Lunch Loops - Meet in the main parking lot, near the changing rooms

Join Mesa County Public Library for a fun Family Storytime all about bikes - learn why bikes are so cool and how to be safe when riding. This program is free and open to the whole family.

Session 1: Monday, May 6 at 10:00 AM

Session 2: Wednesday, May 8 at 10:00 AM

Location: Fruita Library Branch - 324 N. Coulson St.

May is National Bike to School Month. Ditch the car and try walking, biking or rolling to school on May 8. District 51 elementary and middle schools are invited to participate in the Mesa County Walk & Wheel Challenge, the school with the most student participation will earn $200 towards new recess equipment or safety tools to help schools provide walking and biking education to students.

Families can find their safest route to school by downloading the Mesa County Safe Routes mobile app, visit mesacountysaferoutes.com for walking and rolling resources and the Mesa County SRTS map.

Wednesday, May 8 - District 51

Enjoy an evening watching bike films and support local trails. Bike Month Film Fest will feature a number of short films and door prizes. Proceeds from the event will benefit trail planning, construction, and maintenance in Mesa County.

Thursday, May 2 - Avalon Theater, Downtown Grand Junction

Time: Doors open at 6:00 PM, show starts at 7:00 PM

Fee: $15.00 + Fees - Available at the door or in advance online

Hear from author Chris Brown about the book Bicycle Junction and check out a display of fantastic bicycle creations, on display at Mesa County Public Library. Following the bicycle open house there will be an author’s chat about the book Bicycle Junction, released in 2021 (copies available at the Library). Bicycle Junction is the history of Grand Junction as told from the bike lore and local bike shops dating back to the 1880's written by Chris Brown of Brown Cycles.

Monday, May 13 at 5:30 PM -7:30 PM

Location: Central Branch Library, Community Room - 443 N. 6th St. (Grand Junction)

Youth ages 10 and older are invited to join Grand Junction Parks and Recreation to learn about urban cycling. Participants will learn about bike etiquette and safety, plus enjoy a short group ride along the Riverfront Trail. All participants need to bring their own bike and helmet.

Saturday, May 18 at 10:00 AM-11:00 AM (Meet at Eagle Rim Park)

Fee: $6.00 per person (Register online with Grand Junction Parks and Recreation)

Randy Fay and Nancy Lewis (and others) just finished a bike tour of South America. They continued their adventure of biking the Americas to the bottom of Chili in January of 2024. This was the final leg of their route, which they started in Alaska a few years ago, part of a big bucket list of rides. Come and hear about their adventures and enjoy a slideshow and a potluck. Participants should bring something delicious to share.

Saturday, May 18 at 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Location: Brown Cycles - 549 Main St. (Grand Junction)

Come and create popsicle stick bikes during the Fruita Library monthly adult crafting event.

Tuesday, May 21 at 10:30 AM

Location: Fruita Branch Library - 324 N Coulson St

Wax up your wheels and your mustache and be prepared to time travel back in Grand Junction’s cycling roots. Watch the book “Bicycle Junction” come to life on stage with the screening of the Musical “One Bike”, performed in Aug 2021 at Colorado Mesa University. “One Bike” is a Folk Music Opera written by Scott Betts and Directed by Lana Rogal, following the story-line from the book “Bicycle Junction” written by Chris Brown. The film is one hour long with a short discussion following the screening. Copies of “One Bike” DVD and “Bicycle Junction” book are available at the library.

Tuesday, May 21 at 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Location: Central Branch Library, Community Room - 443 N. 6th St. (Grand Junction)

Start good healthy habits and try to pedal every day in May. Join us on Love to Ride with the Mesa County Biking Group, log your rides for a chance to win prizes. After joining the Love to Ride group, send an email to bikemonth@mesacounty.us to let us know you enrolled. Participants MUST be on the email list to be eligible for prizes.

Dates: May 1-31

• Commuter Challenge: Log a transportation ride of 3 miles or greater each week for a chance to win.
• Fun & Fitness Challenge: Log a Fun & Fitness ride of 3 miles or greater each week for a chance to win.
• Most Days of Riding Challenge: Build cycle habits, the top three riders with the most days of riding will win.

Brown Cycles is offering free commuter bike rentals in May; rentals are available one week at a time.

• Renters need to rent bike in person and sign liability form (in case bike is lost or stolen)
• Must reserve the rental with a credit card and renew the rental each week.
• Return the bike at the end of May for absolutely no charge.

Brown Cycles (549 Main Street - GJ) May 1-31

Learn about basic bike mechanics, local trails, e-bikes, and other helpful cycle tips with FREE clinics provided by The Bike Shop. Each week will feature a group ride following the clinic and all participants will receive 15% discount from Sugar & Ice just for attending the clinic.

Tuesdays at 5:15 PM - 950 North Ave STE 108, Grand Junction

• April 30: Is Your Bike Ready to Ride? - Basic maintenance clinic

Group Ride 1: 6-15 mile MTB Ride - pedal to the Lunch Loops + trail ride

Group Ride 2: 6-15 mile Road Ride - pedal to the Riverfront Trail, with a featured RFT section

• May 7: Trail Stewardship - presented by COPMOBA

Group Ride: 6-15 mile MTB Ride - pedal to the Lunch Loops + trail ride

• May 14: Mountain Biking Tips from Aaron Brown from Giant & LIV Bicycles

Group Ride: 6-15 mile MTB Ride -pedal to the Lunch Loops + trail ride

• May 21: Electric Bike Health with Bryan Miick

Group Ride: 10-20 mile Electric MTB Ride - pedal to the Ridges

• May 28: Women’s Cycling with Kenzie Caputo - How to pack, what to wear, how to fuel your body

Group Ride: 10-20 mile road ride- pedal to the Riverfront Trail

Celebrate Bike to Work Day with an Afterglow ride, pedaling 4-5 miles around downtown Grand Junction, ending at Base Camp Beer Works for a social. Participants will receive BOGO on the first round of beers.

Wednesday, May 1 at 5:30 PM - Meet at 544 Rood Ave

Join Every Pedal Mountain Bike for a family friendly ride along the Fruita section of the Colorado Riverfront Trail; plan to ride 5-8 miles with the option to ride the single track sections near the Fruita Lagoons.

Wednesday, May 1 at 6:00 PM - Meet at Fruita Community Center near the entrance

Join Brown Cycles for a family ride around Downtown Grand Junction with stops at local parks and time for the kids to play on the playgrounds. Free Tandem/Kids Rentals with Chris Brown.

Sunday, May 5 at 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM - Meet at Brown Cycles at 1:00 PM, unless renting.

Rentals: Reserve bikes by May 1. Bike rentals should arrive by 12:00 PM.

Grab your bike partner or best buddy and pedal into the sunset on a tandem bike, the group will bike from downtown Grand Junction to Corn Lake and back. Want to try a tandem for free? Brown Cycles is offering free tandem rentals for this group ride, there are 15 adult tandem bikes available on a first come basis.

Thursday, May 9 at 6:30 PM - Meet at Brown Cycles

Rentals: Reserve by May 2. Arrive for the ride by 5:30 PM if renting.

Join Every Pedal Mountain Bike, Riverside Education Center, and Intermountain Health St. Mary's Regional Hospital for a community ride along the Clifton Nature Section of the Colorado Riverfront Trail. Riverside Education Center will provide free bikes for up to 24 participants, for anyone who wants to join, but does not have a bike. Participants will learn about bike safety, rules of the road, trail etiquette, and helmet safety.

Wednesday, May 15 at 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM Meet at Rocky Mountain Elementary at 6:00 PM

Rentals: Please RSVP if you need to borrow a bike, complete the Google Form. If borrowing bikes, please arrive 10-15 minutes to get fitted for your bike.

Pedal into the weekend with the weekly Friday night group ride. Each week features different themes and riders are encouraged to dress in costumes. Participants are also invited to attend the post ride social at a local brewery, the social meet-up will be announce the week of each ride.

Fridays at 7:00 PM - Meet at 544 Rood Avenue, GJ