by Jake Mathias Senior Staff Reporter

Inspired by similar city wide events throughout the world, Ciclovia WI is a non-competitive seven mile bike and pedestrian loop around Stevens Point beginning at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 22.  Ciclovia translates to bike path.

“It’s easy to do.  It’s free and people should bring their friends and family because anyone can get involved,” said Trevor Roark, program manager.

Roark was moved to introduce this event after being an exhibitor for UWSP Adventure Tours at a similar event in Madison, Wis. called Ride to Drive.

“I got to experience the event and see basically 20,000 people riding their bikes and walking and jogging and enjoying the outdoors,” said Roark.  “It was just a really cool event that I thought we should bring to Stevens Point.”

Roark said he expecting between 1,000 and 1,500 participants at Ciclovia WI. 

“You can’t put a concrete number on it because we don’t have registration since the event is free,” said Roark. 

Participants can start on any point of the designated path and are encouraged to stop at all the active rest stops. 

The seven mile bike path has five active rest stops along the way where attendants can learn about bike maintenance and safety, take zumba and yoga classes by Adventure 212, watch or skate in a skate jam at Bukolt Park, take an Outdoors-Woman class and get free stretching, rehab and injury evaluations from Point Sports Medicine. 

The YMCA is also hosting a kids zone along Maria Dr. with games, prizes and children’s fitness.

The event is run entirely by volunteers who number about 75 according to Roark.

“I like to feel like I’m doing something good for the community; something healthy,” said John Pawlak, owner of PABS Point Area Bicycle Service.  PABS opened in April.

Pawlak will be doing basic bicycle maintenance for participants in the parking lot of the Schmeekle Reserve visitor center. 

Sponsors of Ciclovia include Adventure 212, Anything Media Group, The Scene Magazine, Bushman Electric, Point Sports Medicine Center, Outdoors Woman and Point Area Bicycle Service. 

Bistro 212 will be providing concessions at Pfiffner Park including chicken brats, black bean burgers, kettle chips, granola bars, veggies with hummus, lemonade, Gatorade and bottled water.  Water stations will also be available at all the active rest stops.