Cyclefest shifts into gear tonight at Magnuson Park

Summer wouldn't be summer without picnics in the park, bike rides and beer gardens. The Tour de France wouldn't be the Tour without grueling climbs up the Alps and a doping scandal here and there. Combine them all and you've got the makings of a fun event to celebrate the Tour and all things "velo" on Wednesday evening, July 23 at Magnuson Park.

Cascade Bicycle Club's annual Cyclefest has something for everyone, from those with training wheels to custom Bianchi riders. Festivities kick off at 5 p.m. with bike polo. Kids, be sure to score some bike gear in the treasure hunt and then decorate your wheels at the bike art table for the kids' parade at 6:45 p.m. Afterwards, watch the area’s fastest bikers go sprocket-to-sprocket in the Cycle University Street Sprints. Flat tire or no wheels at all? Not to worry, at 9 p.m. there is a raffle for a $4,000 road bike, wheelset and more.

As the sun goes down, the action picks up with the 17th stage of the Tour de France projected on the big screen (the screening will move indoors in the event of rain). Don’t forget to bring chairs and blankets to watch as the world’s best cyclists climb the Alps in the most intense stage of the Tour. Just watching will be draining. Thankfully, Seattle Sausage Company and Athena’s Gyros will be on hand all evening to satisfy your appetite. And for those of age, head over to the New Belgium Beer Garden to wet your whistle and toast the Tour. Be sure to check out the Tour de France poster exhibit and bike safety checks that will be going throughout the evening courtesy of Bothell Ski and Bike.

Whether you are new to biking or have a wardrobe consisting solely of spandex, Cyclefest is sure to be a good time. And the price can’t be beat: It's free.

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