Table of Contents From the President OKHT 2001 Bike Fest Racing Club Picnic Spinning Classes

Cherokee Bike Fest
A Huge Success

Thanks to a myriad of volunteers who made it happen, the Cherokee Bike Fest exceeded all first-year expectations! Participation was estimated at between 500-800 people throughout the day, albeit it did end for all practical purposes with a late afternoon rain shower!

Steve Sarson and his cast of assistants worked to educate folks about maintenance and safety issues, as well as different kinds of bikes. Sheila Andersen (our new Bike/Ped Coordinator) and Bill Herron (Dir., City of Louisville Public Works) answered advocacy questions. Brian Blackwell ran the roller races, and Alan Darby headed up the tours, which included family fun rides and the Emerald Necklace Tour, which took in Cherokee, Shawnee and Iroquois Parks — jewels of Louisville's treasured Olmsted Park system. Many folks bought and sold bike "stuff" large and small at the yard sale, and Kingsley's served up tasty barbecue for the masses. Bike Louisville and Think of Louisville (electric-assisted bicycles) both demo'ed their wares, and Doug Beckhart held his famous bike rodeo for the kids. Scheller's, Clarksville and Jeffersonville Schwinn, and Derby City Outfitters also were there, selling bikes and accessories and answering questions.

This was the first time that the LBC (and the Kentucky Mountain Bike Association) teamed up with the Olmsted Parks Conservancy to help promote park usage, and both Susan Rademacher (President of the Conservancy) and Brigid Sullivan (Director, Metro Parks) were excited with the turnout and the event in general. Hence, it is probable that this event will take place annually.

Next year's event will no doubt prove to be even more exciting, with additions to the expo and a bigger, better bike yard sale — maybe even a race! It may event be moved to another Olmsted Park so as to showcase another jewel!

If you would like to volunteer to help out with the 2002 event, we will start planning the end of October. If you attended or volunteered in this year's BikeFest, please e-mail me your suggestions and comments at bikecoack@aol.com. I will appreciate the feedback!

Photos from Bike Fest 2001 in Cherokee Park.