Crystal City Gets Cycling!
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 11, 2009
CONTACT: Angela Fox, 703-412-9430
Crystal City Gets Cycling!
Hit the Trails, Bike to Work, and Ride the Pro-Circuit
Crystal City (Arlington, VA) – Spring has sprung, and the cyclists are out in Crystal City! Celebrating Green Scene, Crystal City offers great opportunities for residents, employees, and visitors to get their bikes on.
Easily accessible to the Mount Vernon and Four Mile Run cycling trails, Crystal City is hosting the Washington Area Bicyclists’ Association’s Annual Bike to Work Day on Friday, May 15th from 7:00 - 9:00 AM. With the third annual Crystal City Pit Stop, riders can energize with free water, snacks, t-shirts, and bicycle services, while checking out an inspirational piece of pedal-powered artwork that will be joining in the commute. Then on May 31st, cycling enthusiasts of all abilities can experience first-hand the 2009 U.S. Air Force Cycling Classic’s professional race course with Crystal Ride, starting at 7:00 AM in the 2100 Block of Crystal Drive.
“With Crystal City's great connections to the Washington trail network, Bike to Work Day also demonstrates the area's wonderfully active, accessible, and green aspects," said Angela Fox, President/CEO of the Crystal City BID. “We are especially excited to highlight the playful creativity of one of our avid cycling artists while showcasing the pros when they compete on the streets of Crystal City at The Air Force Cycling Classic!”
Much like other area commuters, local artist Robert Lindsay will be joining in the annual Bike to Work Day event by commuting to the 2009 Artomatic exhibition taking place in the Capitol Riverfront neighborhood of D.C. between May 29th and July 5th. In Lindsay’s case, however, he will be riding his rhinoceros-shaped bicycle which also happens to be the artwork that he will display as part of a larger installation piece at Artomatic.
The “rhino-bike” titled, Charger, originated through a collaborative effort with Arlington County and Phoenix Bikes, a youth-focused community bike shop. Lindsay worked with young mechanics from Phoenix Bikes to assemble Charger from plastic tubes reclaimed and reused from another temporary art exhibition. Besides being a fully functioning, pedal-powered vehicle, Charger converts and stores the Sun’s energy as electricity. A retractable solar panel built into the bike charges a battery which provides electric power for internal display LED (light emitting diodes) lights that provide a glowing effect during evening rides.
Bike to Work Day riders will be able to catch Lindsay and Charger at the Crystal City Pit stop located at the Water Park across from 1750 Crystal Drive before they head to Washington’s Freedom Plaza and continue on to the Artomatic site. In addition to snacks and services, such as a quick tune-up by volunteers from Phoenix Bike, Crystal City’s Sport&Health locations will offer free showers for riders wishing to freshen up after starting the day on an active foot!
Area bicyclists can keep riding on Sunday, May 31st at the 2nd Annual Crystal Ride - a non-competitive event that offers participants an opportunity to circle the pro course for up to 3 hours. Crystal Ride promotes cycling as a personal fitness choice and is part of Crystal City's Business Improvement District Crystal Fit campaign. Following Crystal Ride, the pros will take the course at noon and compete in 14 laps around the challenging 12.5 km loop, which includes The Air Force Memorial, the Pentagon and the colorful streets of Crystal City. This is a Union Cyclists Internationale's (UCI) sanctioned race, and is part of the USA Cycling's Pro Tour with some of the most elite professional cyclists in the world competing.
For additional information on Bike to Work Day, Crystal Ride, or to sign up for either event, go to www.crystalcity.org.
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About the Crystal City BID
Established in April of 2006, the Crystal City Business Improvement District (BID) is creating a soul for Crystal City. A public-private partnership, the BID is providing a higher level of service to visitors, workers and residents in Crystal City - driving to become a world-class destination in both Arlington and the greater DC region. For more information, visit www.crystalcity.org.
About WABA
The mission of the Washington Area Bicyclist Association is to create a healthy, more livable region by promoting bicycling for fun, fitness, and affordable transportation; advocating for better bicycling conditions and transportation choices for a healthier environment, and educating children, adults, and motorists about safe bicycling. For more information, visit www.waba.org.
About Artomatic
Artomatic is a creative community that collaborates to produce and present a free arts spectacular. Participation is open to all, from recognized artists to undiscovered talents, who work in a variety of arts forms. In partnership with the development community, Artomatic transforms unused building space into a playground for expression, serves as a catalyst for community growth in up-and-coming neighborhoods, and helps to grow the creative economy. For more information, visit www.artomatic.org.
About Arlington Sports
Arlington Sports Inc. (ASI) is a Virginia based 501(c)3 non-profit, dedicated to the promotion and development of professional and amateur bike racing. For additional information on the U.S. Air Force Cycling Classic and other ASI events, please visit www.arlingtonsports.org.
About USA Cycling
Recognized by the U.S. Olympic Committee and the Union Cycliste Internationale, USA Cycling promotes American cycling through its 60,000 members and 2,500 annual events. USA Cycling associations include the BMX Association (BMX), National Off-Road Bicycle Association (mountain bike), U.S. Cycling Federation (road/track), the National Collegiate Cycling Association and the U.S. Professional Racing Organization (professional men's road). For more information, visit www.usacycling.org or contact USA Cycling Director of Communications, Andy Lee at 719-866-4867.
