Monthly Archives: April 2019


Bike Bingo Tips

Pedal to Play!

Plan ahead and try to get the full card prizes.  Prizes are available for Row and Full cards. You MUST ride your bike to earn stamps and redeem prizes.  No purchase necessary but show your Bike Benefis sticker – especially if you make a purchase to get your Bike Benefit.  Post pictures of your adventures. Have fun, be respectful and engage others.

You remember how to play Bingo, right?  You have to get the full row for a row prize.  Horizontal, vertical or diagonal. Then you get a row prize.  6 row prizes max.

Bike!Charlotte event – get your card stamped at the Mayor’s ride or Open Streets 704. At the Mayor’s ride – look for the Bike Advisory Committee members at the tshirt table. They’ll have Bingo cards and you can get it stamped. At Open Streets – look for the Trips for Kids tent or the Trike races. Both tents will have cards and either can stamp it.

Want the full card prize?  Redeem for up to 6 prizes. Make sure you look for times/dates of events.  For example, Cycling Savvy is May 3-5. You’ll need to be there before class starts to get your card stamped.  Plan accordingly. Use the Bike Benefits website on (your laptop or computer) to look up hours for each business.  From the bicyclebenefits.org enter the city: Charlotte, then the business name – it will have a pull down menu and you can see a link to the business website.

Find Pam – you’ll need to find Pam riding her bike around Charlotte.  Where? She rides all around mostly to Bike Benefits businesses. Sun and Tues excluded.  Tip: She’s hosting lots of events on the Bike!Charlotte website – like ride to yoga on Wed. Or you can look on the CSP calendar.

CSP event – This is any event put on by Charlotte Spokes People.  Look at the calendar for details.  Examples include the Mother’s Day ride on May 12th and the Tour de Sabor on May 19.  Show up before the start and get your stamp.

Volunteer at a Bike ride, event or bike shop – Mark a turn, count, make the safety speech at PMTNR or Sunday Ride, volunteer at a bike event during May (Take a picture and post it on fb Charlotte Bicycle Benefits or instagram #bikebenefits, #bikebingo) or volunteer at Trips for Kids or teach someone how to ride a bike.  Let’s share the love of biking with someone.

Need a card?  They should be at all the spots on the card.  If someone runs out, email pamlikestobike@gmail.com and you can have one for free.  Thanks for letting me know.

p.s.  Remember: You MUST ride your bike to earn stamps and redeem prizes.  


S24O 4/20/19

The next bike overnight will be Easter weekend. Do you like biking? Do you like camping? This is both at the same time. We meet Sat at 2 at Common Market Plaza Midwood and bike about 20 miles out to Copperhead Island at McDowell Nature Preserve. We stop on the way at a grocery store to pick up dinner supplies. We set up camp, have dinner, build a campfire and then bike back the next morning. We’re home for lunch on Sunday.

If you’re planning a longer trip, this is a great way to test everything out. From your packing list, to your equipment, clothing, hydration and nutrition. It’s loads of fun! There’s still room.

$20 per person. $15 with your Bike Benefits sticker. Cash or Paypal pamlikestobike@gmail.com.

Here’s a link to our first one.


Bike!Charlotte 2019

April 26 – May 31

Bike Benefits Bingo

Time: Check participating businesses for hours of operation

Who Participates: everyone

Participation Cost:  $2/card, $1/card with Bike Benefits sticker

Event Link: https://cltspokespeople.org/bike-benefits-bingo/

Contact:   Pamela Murray @ pamlikestobike@gmail.com or  https://cltspokespeople.org/

April 28

Sunday Slow Riders ride

The Sunday Slow Riders is a chill 15 mile ride. We meet weekly at 1:45pm at Legion Brewing in Plaza-Midwood to ride at 2 pm. Safety is no accident, so please wear your helmet.  We’ll be stopping at a Bike Benefits location so remember to bring your helmet and sticker.

Location: 1906 Commonwealth Ave, Charlotte, North Carolina 28205

Time: 1:45 meet, leave at 2:00 pm (about 2 ½ hours)

Cost: FREE!

Who Participates: Everyone

Contact: Pamela Murray @ pamlikestobike@gmail.com or  https://cltspokespeople.org/

April 29

Route Planning Workshop

Learn how to plan a comfortable, low stress route using Ride with GPS, Google Maps, the Virtual Charlotte Map and the Charlotte Bike Map.  This will be an interactive workshop. Need a route? We’ll figure one out.

Location: Advent Coworking, 933 Louise Ave.

Time: 6 pm

Cost: FREE!

Who Participates: Everyone

Contact: Pamela Murray @ pamlikestobike@gmail.com or  https://cltspokespeople.org/

April 30

Plaza Midwood Tuesday Night Ride

PMTNR is a fun bicycle ride for everyone!  Riders meet at the Plaza Midwood Common Market at 7:30PM every Tuesday night.  The ride is from 8:00 PM until 10:30 PM and usually covers 15 miles. Expect a crowd! Lights and helmet required.  This ride is NEVER cancelled. We’ll be stopping at Bike Gallery which is a Bike Benefits location so remember to bring your helmet and sticker for 10% off accessories.

Location: Common Market, 2007 Commonwealth Ave., 28205

Time: 7:45 pm meet time, leave at 8 pm.

Cost: FREE!

Who Participates: Open to Everyone

Contact: Pamela Murray @ pamlikestobike@gmail.com or  https://cltspokespeople.org/

May 3-5

Cycling Savvy 3 part course

The full CyclingSavvy Course INCLUDES Truth & Techniques (classroom session), Train Your Bike (bike handling) session, and our signature on-road experience — Tour of Charlotte. https://cyclingsavvy.org/in-person-courses/

  • Truth & Techniques (classroom session, no bike needed): 4 PM to 7 PM Friday, Fri, May 3 at Advent Coworking, 933 Louise Ave #101, Charlotte, NC 28204.
  • Train Your Bike (parking lot skills session): 2-5 pm PM Saturday, May 4, 2019, at 1510 East 7th Street (parking lot, St. Martin’s Episcopal Church)
  • Tour of Charlotte: 1-4 PM Sunday,May 5, 2019. We’ll start from and return to the parking lot in front of Okra Yoga at 1912 Commonwealth Avenue.

Cost: $95 for the full course.  Scholarships available.

Who Participates: Open to Everyone

Contact: Pamela Murray @ pamlikestobike@gmail.com or  https://cltspokespeople.org/

May 5

Sunday Slow Riders ride

The Sunday Slow Riders is a chill 15 mile ride. We meet weekly at 1:45pm at Legion Brewing in Plaza-Midwood to ride at 2 pm. Safety is no accident, so please wear your helmet.  We’ll be stopping at a Bike Benefits location so remember to bring your helmet and sticker.

Location: 1906 Commonwealth Ave, Charlotte, North Carolina 28205

Time: 1:45 meet, leave at 2:00 pm (about 2 ½ hours)

Cost: FREE!

Who Participates: Everyone

Contact: Pamela Murray @ pamlikestobike@gmail.com or  https://cltspokespeople.org/

May 7

Plaza Midwood Tuesday Night Ride

Bikes on a Train ride

PMTNR is a fun bicycle ride for everyone!  Riders meet at the Plaza Midwood Common Market at 7:30 PM every Tuesday night.  The ride is from 8:00 PM until 10:30 PM and usually covers 15 miles. Expect a crowd! Lights and helmet required.  This ride is NEVER cancelled. We’ll be stopping at a Bike Benefits location so remember to bring your helmet and sticker.

This week only.  Bikes on CATS is free.  10 and 20 mile ride options this week.  You can ride both ways or opt to put your bike on the light rail for one way.  

Location: Common Market, 2007 Commonwealth Ave., 28205

Time: 7:45 pm meet time, leave at 8 pm.

Cost: FREE!

Who Participates: Open to Everyone

Contact: Pamela Murray @ pamlikestobike@gmail.com or  https://cltspokespeople.org/

May 8

Ride with a Cycling Savvy Instructor  – Plaza Midwood to Campbell Creek Park

Experience riding with a Cycling Savvy Instructor using lane control and release.  Experience cooperative and mindful bicycling while operating your bicycle as a vehicle.   You’ll have 2 hours to either explore the park or join me for yoga at Charlotte East (Y facility) before returning.   (Y members free, limited guests spots available) Bring a snack and water bottle. Ride out is 6 miles out and 6 miles back.

Location: Krazy Fish, 2501 Central Ave.

Time: 9:45 am meet, leave at 10 am, arrive at Campbell Creek Park at 10:30, will depart at 12:30.  

Cost: FREE!

Who Participates: Everyone

Contact: Pamela Murray @ pamlikestobike@gmail.com or  https://cltspokespeople.org/

May 10

Bike Benefits ride to lunch

Ride to lunch and use your Bike Benefits sticker.  The group will decide which Bike Benefits business to go to.  There are about 200 to choose from. http://cltspok.es/CLTpocketList  Need a sticker?  Advent has them. $5 each.  Stickers never expire and can be used at over 2000 participating locations nationwide.  

Location: Advent Coworking, 933 Louise Ave.

Time: 6 pm

Cost: FREE!

Who Participates: Everyone

Contact: Pamela Murray @ pamlikestobike@gmail.com or  https://cltspokespeople.org/

May 12

Sunday Slow Riders ride – Mother’s Day

The Sunday Slow Riders is a chill 15 mile ride to the McGill Rose Garden, a Charlotte tradition. We meet weekly at 1:45pm at Gumbo in Plaza-Midwood to ride at 2pm. Safety is no accident, so please wear your helmet.

Location: 1916 Commonwealth Ave.

Time: 1:45 meet, leave at 2:00 pm (about 2 ½ hours)

Cost: FREE!

Who Participates: EveryoneContact: Pamela Murray @ pamlikestobike@gmail.com or  https://cltspokespeople.org/


Bike Benefits Bingo

We are so excited to introduce the best thing to hit the Charlotte bike scene since Bike Benefits. Charlotte Bike Benefits Bingo! Bike Bingo is a celebration of Charlotte by bike!

Front of card

How to Play:

April 26- May 31, ride your bike, collect stamps and win prizes!  Request a stamp at each spot upon showing your Bike Benefits sticker*.  No purchase necessary – 1 card per person. Register your card at https://cltspok.es/Bingo . Prizes redeemable at listed locations.  All trips (including prize redemptions) must be done by bike!

Where: Pick up Bingo cards at any Bike Benefit business on the card or at special events such as Bike!Charlotte events (Mayor’s Ride and Open Streets 704).  Cards will be sold for $2 (or $1 with a Bike Benefit sticker) but a limited number will be available at these Bike!Charlotte events.

What: Individuals pick up a $2 Bike Bingo card, then have 5 weeks to bike around the area, attend rides, events and pedal to Bicycle Benefits businesses in order to get their bingo card stamped. Individuals who get 5 in a row or fill their entire card can redeem prizes.   All prizes must be redeemed by May 31, 2019.

Post photos @Charlotte Bicycle Benefits on facebook, @Bicycle Benefits, #BikeBingo on Instagram.  



Tour de Sabor

 A two-wheeled taco tour

punchcard

Pump up your tires because the first annual Tour de Sabor is happening this spring….and you are invited!  Can you bike 20 miles on tacos alone? Well there is only one way to find out.

Guided ride begins at Common Market in Plaza Midwood at 2 pm on Sunday, May 19th.  Participants will receive their punch card starting at 1:30 and guided ride rolls out at 2.  Speed will average 11-13 miles per hour. If you are rolling with your friends or want to rip a speed record on the 20 mile route as fast as possible, here it is to upload on your phone.

https://cltspok.es/TourdeSabor

The Tour de Sabor is our way of celebrating Charlotte and letting you know that we love it when you ride your bike to our restaurants…once a day, once a month or all year long.  Bike for tacos people!

All participants receive

  • A Bicycle Benefits sticker that gives them everyday discounts at Sabor and 175 locations around the city when they bike there and show the program helmet sticker.  
  • A punch card which will give participants up to 10 tacos total at the 5 participating locations during the ride.  
  • Other purchases are up to the riders and will receive their customary 10% off Bike Benefits offer.
  • Churros for all participants and raffle prizes at the end of the ride. (Elizabeth location)  Don’t lose your punch card because you’ll need it at the end to win prizes. Raffle will be at 6 pm.
  • Cost is $20 which includes a Bike Benefit sticker. $15 if you already have Bicycle Benefits helmet sticker or card.  

Stops:

  1. NoDa
  2. Uptown
  3. SouthEnd
  4. Morrison
  5. Elizabeth

https://cltspok.es/tourdesabor

link to punch card order

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/tour-de-sabor-a-two-wheeled-taco-tour-tickets-60936555879

event brite link for credit cards

Questions? pamlikestobike@gmail.com