Bikexcitement

Spectators at the Tour de France often have to line roadways in treacherous mountains or the middle of the French countryside hours in advance of the race's start, and for what? To watch the peloton whiz by in less than three minutes. Funk that noise — you're an American. If you want to watch a cycling event, you want to plunk yourself down in front of a bar or a restaurant, and you want those cyclists to make multiple passes. Well guess what? Tour de Grove features a full day of bike races in mountain-free neighborhood the Grove (Manchester Avenue between Kingshighway and Vandeventer Avenue; www.tourdegrove.com). Saturday is jam-packed with every type of bike race known: hand cyclists, kids' races, men's and women's divisions and, at night, street sprints that feature pros on their multi-thousand-dollar machines, drag queens and the art bikes of the crazy races. And you can soak that all up while visiting the Grove's eateries and drinkeries, and you don't even have to drive — hell, you don't even have to walk: 3Wheel Taxi will provide complimentary lifts to the neighborhood's businesses and parking lots. Admission for spectators is free, and official hours are 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Sat., May 14, 2011