By Matt Wenger

The road bike routes and demos of Revolution Bike Fest next weekend is a huge reason (in fact the reason we dreamed up Revolution).

Chances are you have 10 closet cyclists in your neighborhood, that could be riding with you; maybe it’s time you found out and added them to your riding “buddy list”.

One of my favorite bike trip memories. Charity and I road a rainy 104 miles at Levi’s Grand Fondo with Matt and Meredith Ford.

 Bikes bring people together. Road Bikes are accessible at reasonable price points, and very few race road bikes, they are tools to get outside and enjoy the community.  Ever wonder how many people have bikes in your neighborhood?  A “cant lie” indicator is the drastic increase of bike traffic in Orange County during the July Tour de France.

My favorite Road Bike Reality: it brings people together. Community. Conversation. Like minded challenge.  Shave your legs or not; everyone can ride a bike (or has the ability to- hey you just have to learn once).  I’ve ridden with my mom when she was 40.  I’ve ridden with my dad and he just turned 69.  My 3 daughters road to the harbor in San Clemente with Charity and I when they were 4, 6 and 7.

One of the most grainy, real, fun experiential memories of my childhood family memories are on a bike.  I’ve had adult friendships blossom on the miles put in training for the Amtrak and Solvang Centuries; and one of the most epic Levi’s Grand Fondo in Santa Rosa with my wife, and another couple that have become lifelong friends.

Two ways you can participate on one of Revolution Bike Fest’s Road ride Experiences?

1. Bring your bike…any kind of bike – road bike, just two wheels…we’ll have all kinds of bikes, all price points, and lots of skill levels of people who are just out to have  a good time.
2. Demo (borrow a loaner Bike) from one of the manufacturers in the Expo Area-

Demo Road Bikes are available from:

• BH Bike Co
• Giant
• Specialized
• Trek
• KHS Bicycles
• Jamis Bicycles

All road bike demos will be on a first come first serve basis, and available from the manufacturers at their Demo Trucks in the Expo Area starting on Friday Afternoon 4-6pm. Demo availability in the mornings for Day Ticket Arrivals begins at 6:00am. 

Road Rides and Gravel Bits:

Here are a couple of the Orange County Rides (Road and Gravel) available directly from Revolution Bike Fest Hub @ Irvine Lake 

How will the Road and Gravel Rides work?

We’ll provide maps and a central meeting place. Ride ambassadors will lead the charge and be casually inserted into groups. Rides will typically be at social paces (and of course there will be those who go hammer to get back for lunch and beer).

Are the Rides Supported?

These are unsupported rides, in the “traditional sense” . No aid stations are along the way, so pack your pockets, water bottles, tubes, air, gels, and extra Chammois Butter. Of course we’re here to help so we’ll have lunch for you to pack, KIND BARS for you to pack, and Fluid Hydration on hand for you to prepare your bottles for a great day on the bike.

If you run into trouble, there is a help number on your ride sheet, for directions or if your tire has a fatal failure one of our Bike Shuttles will be dispatched to reach you on the road. Gravel Grinders, that’s a tougher mechanical rescue; make sure you’ve got what you need and ride with friends along the way.

Meeting Place is Expo Information Center for all rides at 7:45am

Ready for the ride of your life? It’s easy to Buy Your Ticket Here

I cannot wait for you to get here.