We're gearing up to celebrate May 2024 - stay tuned for details, and contact us if you have an event you'd like to share!
May is National Bike Month & National Historic Preservation Month!
Celebrating Nationwide |
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Celebrate Locally! |
Bike Month & Preservation Month are a perfect pair! Our historic neighborhoods and business districts are easily accessed and enjoyed on two wheels, and generally our weather in May is perfect for exploring the City! While we hope you celebrate year-round, May is a great time to be more intentional about it, and to take advantage of the additional resources offered as part of local celebrations.
This May, take part in a number of activities and events sponsored by the City and community partners - check out the events below, and download and share our printable calendars! |
Activities & Events |
National Bike Challenge (May 1 - 31)
The National Bike Challenge is hosted by the League of American Bicyclists, and is a fun and easy way to up your Bike Month participation. By logging your miles in May, and through encouraging others to do the same, you can earn points and are entered to win prizes. Virtual Historic Preservation Bike Rides (May 1 - 31) Did you miss out on the historic preservation bike rides of years past? Preservation and planning staff pre-recorded past bike rides so you can follow along on your own or in small, socially distanced groups. Video recordings of the bike rides are available on the Walk Bike Columbia page as well as the City's YouTube Historic Preservation Playlist. Cola Women/Trans/Femme/Non-binary Cyclists Ride Wednesday, May 1, 6:30 PM Meet at 6:30 PM and ride at 6:45 PM for a 10-12 mile, no-drop monthly social ride for femme/trans/women/nonbinary riders. The ride stops at Rita’s Italian Ice near the end! Meet at Cola Town Bike Collective (711 Elmwood Ave.). Follow cola_wtfnb_cyclists on Instagram for updates. Street Meat Alley Cat Race Saturday, May 4, 4:00 PM Start and finish at Cola Town Bike Collective (711 Elmwood Ave.), race ending with live music and food. $10 gets you into the race and the show. National Ride a Bike Day Sunday, May 5 Take part in the third annual National Ride a Bike Day, sponsored by the League of American Bicyclists. Celebrating National Ride A Bike Day is simple: go for a ride - any ride. If you'd like to share your images on social media, use #BikeDay and #wearecolumbia, and tag the City of Columbia too! Tour de Taco Rides Sunday, May 5, 11:00 or 11:30 a.m. (depending on start location) Meet at Cycle Center at 11 AM for the regular Sunday A ride (22.5 miles) or meet at Steel Hands Brewery @11:30 AM for the B ride (12.5 miles), with tacos and beer after the B ride and mid-A ride, with the A ride returning to Cycle Center. Sunday, May 5, 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM - Beginner Mountain Bike Clinic + Ride Join Outspokin’, Midlands SORBA, and the Columbia Composite NICA and build your off-road skills. This ages 10+ clinic is free, but there is a $5 parking fee, and space is limited. Email bikeclinic@outspokinbicycles.com to register. Council Proclamations & Mabel Payne Award Tuesday, May 7, 4:00 p.m. Attend the City of Columbia's Council meeting in-person and join in the celebration and proclamation of National Bike Month and National Historic Preservation Month, as well as the announcement of the 2024 Mabel Payne Award winner! For details, view the City Council agenda. Bike to Work Day Friday, May 17 (Bike to Work Week is May 13 - 19!) Join a group or commute on your own, meeting at the State House (Gervais Street side) at 8:30 a.m. for a group photo and a ride down Main Street to City Hall.
Friends of Harbison State Forest Trail Work Day Saturday, May 18, 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Celebrate Bike Month by helping to maintain some of our most highly used off-road trails! Meet at the Harbison Ed Center to volunteer with the Friends of Harbison State Forest for their monthly trail work day. Bring water and snacks and wear appropriate clothing. See the Friends of Harbison State Forest Facebook page for details. Preservation Bike Tour: Sunday, May 19, 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. May is also National Historic Preservation Month! Hop on your bike and join City preservation staff on a bike tour of green book sites in downtown Columbia. Registration and helmet required. |
Join a Group Ride!
Group rides are a great way to build community and get to know other bicyclists. The rides below are organized by community groups and/or bike shops - please check with the organizer listed for any questions or in case of inclement weather.
ONE-TIME RIDES:
Saturday, May 4, 4:00 PM - Street Meat Alley Cat Race
Start and finish at Cola Town Bike Collective (711 Elmwood Ave.), race ending with live music and food. $10 gets you into the race and the show.
Sunday, May 5, 11:00 or 11:30 a.m. (depending on start location) - Tour de Taco Rides
Meet at Cycle Center at 11 AM for the regular Sunday A ride (22.5 miles) or meet at Steel Hands Brewery @11:30 AM for the B ride (12.5 miles), with tacos and beer after the B ride and mid-A ride, with the A ride returning to Cycle Center.
Sunday, May 5, 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM - Beginner Mountain Bike Clinic + Ride
Join Outspokin’, Midlands SORBA, and the Columbia Composite NICA and build your off-road skills. This ages 10+ clinic is free, but there is a $5 parking fee, and space is limited. Email bikeclinic@outspokinbicycles.com to register.
Wednesday, May 8, Timing Varies - National Bike & Roll to School Day
Join a local event or sign up to organize one at your school - find out more at walkbiketoschool.org.
Friday, May 17th, 8:30 a.m. - Bike to Work Day
Meet other bike commuters at the State House (Gervais Street side) to pose for a picture and ride down Main Street to City Hall (1737 Main Street). Group rides from several points in the City to the State House will also be held - see above for details.
Preservation Bike Tour: Sunday, May 19, 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Hop on your bike and join City preservation and urban design staff on a bike tour of recent projects in downtown Columbia. The tour will include behind-the-scene tours of recently completed or in construction historic renovation projects and a look at recent urban design new construction projects. Registration and helmet required.
Sunday, May 19th, 10:00 a.m. - Race to the River
Take part in this annual mountain bike race at Harbison State Forest. Learn more & register at https://usmtbseries.com/events/racetotheriver.
Saturday, May 4, 4:00 PM - Street Meat Alley Cat Race
Start and finish at Cola Town Bike Collective (711 Elmwood Ave.), race ending with live music and food. $10 gets you into the race and the show.
Sunday, May 5, 11:00 or 11:30 a.m. (depending on start location) - Tour de Taco Rides
Meet at Cycle Center at 11 AM for the regular Sunday A ride (22.5 miles) or meet at Steel Hands Brewery @11:30 AM for the B ride (12.5 miles), with tacos and beer after the B ride and mid-A ride, with the A ride returning to Cycle Center.
Sunday, May 5, 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM - Beginner Mountain Bike Clinic + Ride
Join Outspokin’, Midlands SORBA, and the Columbia Composite NICA and build your off-road skills. This ages 10+ clinic is free, but there is a $5 parking fee, and space is limited. Email bikeclinic@outspokinbicycles.com to register.
Wednesday, May 8, Timing Varies - National Bike & Roll to School Day
Join a local event or sign up to organize one at your school - find out more at walkbiketoschool.org.
Friday, May 17th, 8:30 a.m. - Bike to Work Day
Meet other bike commuters at the State House (Gervais Street side) to pose for a picture and ride down Main Street to City Hall (1737 Main Street). Group rides from several points in the City to the State House will also be held - see above for details.
Preservation Bike Tour: Sunday, May 19, 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Hop on your bike and join City preservation and urban design staff on a bike tour of recent projects in downtown Columbia. The tour will include behind-the-scene tours of recently completed or in construction historic renovation projects and a look at recent urban design new construction projects. Registration and helmet required.
Sunday, May 19th, 10:00 a.m. - Race to the River
Take part in this annual mountain bike race at Harbison State Forest. Learn more & register at https://usmtbseries.com/events/racetotheriver.
MONTHLY + WEEKLY RECURRING RIDES:
While many of the below rides occur regularly year-round, please be sure to check in with the organizers prior to making plans to attend - time changes, weather, and just life in general can result in modifications!
Sundays at 11:00 a.m.
Cycle Center Group Ride
Meet at Cycle Center (1001 Harden) for a 22 mile road ride with loops into Cayce and West Columbia.
Sundays at 3:30 p.m.
Midlands SORBA Weekly Trail Rides at Harbison State Forest
Join Midlands SORBA for casual no drop rides through Harbison State Forest. There are regular stops during the rides to regroup, and an experienced rider will sweep the rear to ensure no one gets lost. Bring water, your helmet, and a mountain bike. Join friends afterwards for a meal or pint at a local restaurant. Check their Facebook page for weather-related announcements, and make sure to sign the e-waiver first.
Mondays at 6:00 p.m.
Rosewood Monday Night Bike Ride
Meet at Rosewood Park for a five-mile family-friendly casual ride around the neighborhood.
Tuesdays 6:15 p.m.
Tri-City Cyclers Urban Assault Ride
A no-drop, more social ride that covers a variety of terrain, generally 18-22 miles. Meet in the parking lot behind the Cayce Farm Bureau office (724 Knox Abbot). Helmets required, front and rear lights strongly recommended. See their Facebook page for more details.
Tuesdays at 6:45 p.m.
Street Meat Tuesday Rides
Meet at Cola Town Bike Collective (711 Elmwood) at 6:45 p.m. to ride at 7:00 p.m. on an all genders, all bikes, no drop 8-15 mile city ride. Lights and helmets required. Follow Street Meat Cola on Instagram for details.
Tuesdays & Thursdays at 6:00 p.m.
Tri-City Cyclers Road Rides
All levels and abilities; no drop options. A group (>22mph); B group (18-20mph) breaks into smaller groups; C group (14-16mph) is a social no-drop. Meet at B Avenue Sports Complex (815 B Ave, West Columbia). Helmets required, front and rear lights strongly recommended. See their Facebook page for weather + start time changes.
(Usually) the 1st Wednesday of the Month
Cola Women/Trans/Femme/Non-binary Cyclists Ride
Meet at 6:30 PM and ride at 6:45 PM for a 10-12 mile, no-drop monthly social ride for femme/trans/women/nonbinary riders. The ride stops at Rita’s Italian Ice near the end! Meet at Cola Town Bike Collective (711 Elmwood Ave.). Follow cola_wtfnb_cyclists on Instagram for updates.
Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m.
Summit Cycles Road Ride
Meet at Summit Cycles (10171 Two Notch Road) for A (28 miles), B (25 miles), and C (20ish miles, no drop) rides.
Thursdays at 6:15 p.m.
Outspokin' Irmo Ride
C pace group ride, 20ish miles, departs from Irmo Outspokin’ Bicycles, 7601 St. Andrews Rd. This ride is a no-drop, but riders should be able to maintain a 16-18 mph pace. Helmets required, front and rear lights strongly recommended. See their Facebook page for more details.
Thursdays at 6:15 p.m.
Midlands SORBA Weekly Trail Rides at Harbison State Forest
Join Midlands SORBA for casual no drop rides through Harbison State Forest. There are regular stops during the rides to regroup, and an experienced rider will sweep the rear to ensure no one gets lost. Bring water, your helmet, and a mountain bike. Join friends afterwards for a meal or pint at a local restaurant. Check their Facebook page for weather-related announcements, and make sure to sign the e-waiver first.
Thursdays at 7:00 p.m.
Outspokin' Thirsty Thursday Ride
Meet at the Columbia Outspokin' Bicycles (3223 Devine) for a 12-15 mile city/neighborhood no drop ride. Helmets and lights are required.
Fridays at 6:30 p.m.
Cycle Center Beer Ride
Meet at Cycle Center (1001 Harden) for a social 18-ish mile road ride through Columbia and Forest Acres.
While many of the below rides occur regularly year-round, please be sure to check in with the organizers prior to making plans to attend - time changes, weather, and just life in general can result in modifications!
Sundays at 11:00 a.m.
Cycle Center Group Ride
Meet at Cycle Center (1001 Harden) for a 22 mile road ride with loops into Cayce and West Columbia.
Sundays at 3:30 p.m.
Midlands SORBA Weekly Trail Rides at Harbison State Forest
Join Midlands SORBA for casual no drop rides through Harbison State Forest. There are regular stops during the rides to regroup, and an experienced rider will sweep the rear to ensure no one gets lost. Bring water, your helmet, and a mountain bike. Join friends afterwards for a meal or pint at a local restaurant. Check their Facebook page for weather-related announcements, and make sure to sign the e-waiver first.
Mondays at 6:00 p.m.
Rosewood Monday Night Bike Ride
Meet at Rosewood Park for a five-mile family-friendly casual ride around the neighborhood.
Tuesdays 6:15 p.m.
Tri-City Cyclers Urban Assault Ride
A no-drop, more social ride that covers a variety of terrain, generally 18-22 miles. Meet in the parking lot behind the Cayce Farm Bureau office (724 Knox Abbot). Helmets required, front and rear lights strongly recommended. See their Facebook page for more details.
Tuesdays at 6:45 p.m.
Street Meat Tuesday Rides
Meet at Cola Town Bike Collective (711 Elmwood) at 6:45 p.m. to ride at 7:00 p.m. on an all genders, all bikes, no drop 8-15 mile city ride. Lights and helmets required. Follow Street Meat Cola on Instagram for details.
Tuesdays & Thursdays at 6:00 p.m.
Tri-City Cyclers Road Rides
All levels and abilities; no drop options. A group (>22mph); B group (18-20mph) breaks into smaller groups; C group (14-16mph) is a social no-drop. Meet at B Avenue Sports Complex (815 B Ave, West Columbia). Helmets required, front and rear lights strongly recommended. See their Facebook page for weather + start time changes.
(Usually) the 1st Wednesday of the Month
Cola Women/Trans/Femme/Non-binary Cyclists Ride
Meet at 6:30 PM and ride at 6:45 PM for a 10-12 mile, no-drop monthly social ride for femme/trans/women/nonbinary riders. The ride stops at Rita’s Italian Ice near the end! Meet at Cola Town Bike Collective (711 Elmwood Ave.). Follow cola_wtfnb_cyclists on Instagram for updates.
Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m.
Summit Cycles Road Ride
Meet at Summit Cycles (10171 Two Notch Road) for A (28 miles), B (25 miles), and C (20ish miles, no drop) rides.
Thursdays at 6:15 p.m.
Outspokin' Irmo Ride
C pace group ride, 20ish miles, departs from Irmo Outspokin’ Bicycles, 7601 St. Andrews Rd. This ride is a no-drop, but riders should be able to maintain a 16-18 mph pace. Helmets required, front and rear lights strongly recommended. See their Facebook page for more details.
Thursdays at 6:15 p.m.
Midlands SORBA Weekly Trail Rides at Harbison State Forest
Join Midlands SORBA for casual no drop rides through Harbison State Forest. There are regular stops during the rides to regroup, and an experienced rider will sweep the rear to ensure no one gets lost. Bring water, your helmet, and a mountain bike. Join friends afterwards for a meal or pint at a local restaurant. Check their Facebook page for weather-related announcements, and make sure to sign the e-waiver first.
Thursdays at 7:00 p.m.
Outspokin' Thirsty Thursday Ride
Meet at the Columbia Outspokin' Bicycles (3223 Devine) for a 12-15 mile city/neighborhood no drop ride. Helmets and lights are required.
Fridays at 6:30 p.m.
Cycle Center Beer Ride
Meet at Cycle Center (1001 Harden) for a social 18-ish mile road ride through Columbia and Forest Acres.
Resources |
These smart cycling videos and tips were developed for a nationwide audience, so a few notes regarding local and state regulations:
PRESERVATION MONTH READING & RESOURCE LIST
Our reading and resource list provides recommendations in the following categories:
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Columbia Compass is the update to the City of Columbia, South Carolina’s Comprehensive Plan. To learn more about the City’s other planning efforts, please visit the City's website.
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