Bike Month begins on Friday, and there are a TON of events, rides, and races going on. We’ve got not one, but two Cross Club races and two FREE alleycat races this weekend as well, plus movies, classes, and Austin Bike Zoo doing its awesomeness with on bike version of Alice in Wonderland.

Here’s a quick run down of recommended events for the coming week from our comprehensive calendar of all cycling events. Thanks to Jason at ATXBS for letting us know about some events we couldn’t find elsewhere. As always, if there is an event you know about that’s not on our calendar contact us, and we’ll add your event on and possibly add it to the weekly round up.

Thursday, April 30

Image courtesy of The Driveway Crits.

Kenny Hill AutoWerks’ Driveway Criterium Races
4:30 PM, Community Rally, 5:30 PM, Races, The Driveway, 8400 Delwau Ln
Weekly Thursday night road racing through October that takes place on the closed car-free driving course at the Driveway. Races include Cat 4/5 at 6:10, Cat 3/4 at 5:30, Pro/Cat 1/2/3 at 6:45 to choose from with a fourth Masters race (40 + years old) running from May 21- August 6 starting at 7:45. Open riding during Community Rally from 4:30- 5:30 PM. Races registration $20, Rally $10. $5 off with 8 oz can donated to Capital Area Food Bank. See our article about the series for more info.

Thursday Night Bike Polo
5:30 PM, Eastwoods Park, 3001 Harris Park Ave
The Austin Bike Polo Club has added another weekly match to the regular Sunday afternoon affair. All bikes and skill levels are welcome and spare mallets and balls are available if you don’t have any. Check out our recent article on bike polo for more info.

Bicycle Sport Shop Womens Only Bike Maintenance Class
6 PM, Bicycle Sport Shop Central, 517 S. Lamar Blvd
Bicycle Sport Shop does a weekly repair class but the last Thursday of the month is ladies only. Free basic maintenance class (including how to fix a flat) taught by one of BSS’ skilled female mechanics.

Urban Night Ride
7:30 PM, Lamar Blvd Pfluger Pedestrian Bridge
A new ride from the Facebook group Social Cycling ATX. Meet at Pedestrian Bridge at 7:30p.m. leave at 8:00p.m. sharp. Bring your cameras & twitter phones and get some good sunset shots.

Cross Club #10 aka The Noah’s Ark Race
8 PM, Lamar Blvd Pfluger Pedestrian Bridge, Lady Bird Lake
Combining cyclocross and urban racing, this 10-18 mile urban trail race costs $5. There will be prizes, slop, and a copy of Cyclocross Magazine to the first 20 attendees – spectators and racers. Advice for homework: Know the Shoal Creek trail. KNOW IT. Time to step it up.

Friday, May 1

City Bike Month Launch
11:30 AM- 1:30 PM, Austin City Hall Plaza
Sign up for the Austin Commuter Challenge! Free on site mechanics for minor repairs and Safety Checks! Giveaways! Cap Metro demonstrations and more.

Fabulous Fixed First Friday
4:20 PM, Capitol Grounds
The first friday of the month means Fabulous Fixed First Friday alleycat races. In honor of Bike Month, this one is free with a footdown tricks competition. Registration at 4:20, race starts at 5 PM sharp. Come and cheer even if you don’t plan to race so you can start your weekend right.

13th Annual Political Pedal
4:45 p.m. (ride leaves shortly after 5 p.m.), Austin City Hall Plaza
Every May when Bike Month rolls around, the Political Pedal rolls in with it. Started over a decade ago, the Political Pedal gives cyclists a chance to talk one-on-one with local elected officials as well as giving those politicians a chance to see what its like to ride a bike on our streets. The ride is short and social and always ends with a happy hour, this year at Uncle Billy’s Brew Pub at 1530 Barton Springs Rd. All City Council members and candidates as well as APD Chief Art Acevedo have been invited.

Saturday, May 2

Shiner GASP (Great Austin to Shiner Pedal)
7 AM, Met Center, 8201 E. Riverside Dr
This 100 mile ride from Austin to Shiner, Texas ends with a big festival at the Shiner Brewery.

Red Licorice/Real Ale Ride Long Ride Hosted by Austin Flyers
8:30 AM, Bicycle Sports Shop Central, 517 S Lamar Blvd

Red Licorice is hosting this training ride with Austin Flyers to prepare for the Real Ale Ride on May 30. This will be our final training ride gearing up to the Real Ale Ride on May 30th. Build up your endurance with this ride in south east Austin. There will be several route options so you can pick the one closest to the route you are doing at the Real Ale Ride.

Bikecellent “Messenger style” Race
5 PM, Drungo Ice House, 2828 Rio Grande St
Another free alleycat race! This one features prizes from Ozone Bikes.

Austin Bike Zoo produces Alice in Wonderland on Bike
6 PM, 91 Red River St
In honor of Bike Month, the Austin Bike Zoo is putting on a series of free performances of Alice in Wonderland all on bikes.

Sunday, May 3

3rd Annual Skeese Greets Women’s Triathlon
8 AM, Texas Ski Ranch, New Braunfels
Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a true newbie, the Skeese Greets Women’s Triathlon is for you. Come along and experience a supportive and friendly environment for beginners and advanced triathletes alike. Course: 300m swim/11.1mi bike/2mi run

Recycle Your Old Bike Drive for Austin Yellow Bike Project
11 AM- 7 PM, REI Austin Downtown, 601 N. Lamar Blvd
Give your old bike a new life by donating it to the Austin Yellow Bike Project during Bike Month! he donated bikes will be fixed up by Yellow Bike Project volunteers and used for Austin-area Bike Month events. The Austin Yellow Bike Project needs both adult and kid’s bikes for upcoming events.

Sexy Sunday BMX/Fixed Session and Footdown Competition
1 PM, Parmer Events Center, 900 Barton Springs Rd
Bring your BMX or fixed gear bike for a weekly, friendly tricks competition.

Capital City BMX Weekly Race Series
1 PM, Capital City BMX, 15010 FM Road 620 North
The Capital City BMX opened in November 2008 and offers you a chance to learn and race BMX. BMX races are held every Sunday with rider check-in 1-2 PM. Cost $10/rider. (There is also practice time on Saturday’s. Check Capital City BMX for more info.)

Hardcourt Bike Polo
4 PM, Eastwoods Park, 3001 Harris Park Ave
Join fellow bike polo enthusiasts as part of the newly formed Austin Bike Polo Club for a friendly Sunday match every week. All bikes and skill levels are welcome and spare mallets and balls are available if you don’t have any. Check out our recent article on bike polo for more info.

Cross Club #11 aka The first one with barriers
6 PM, Location TBA
Combining the cyclocross with urban racing, this one will probably “sprint” distance. That does not mean drag racing, just probably short and vicious. Cost: $5. Advice: Get a lot of sleep and carb up. I’m throwing a wrench in the works this time. It’s time to see what everyone’s really got.

Austin Bike Zoo produces Alice in Wonderland on Bike
6 PM, Republic Square, 4th & Guadalupe
This will be the second of the Austin Bike Zoo series of free performances of Alice in Wonderland all on bikes.

Cemetery Cats Pub Crawl
6PM, The Jackelope, 305 W 5th St
Join up with the Cemetery Cats for a night of drinking, biking, and hanging out with the dead. Sometimes they have a route planned, sometimes not. Be assured though, hijinks in cemeteries WILL ensue.

Monday, May 4

Austin Cycling Association Monthly Meeting
7 PM, LCRA Board Room, 3601 Lake Austin Blvd
Annick Beaudet will talk about the Austin Bicycle Plan and the city’s efforts to help make Austin a premier cycling city. The plan will go to the Austin City Council in late May for approval.

Cafe Mundi Bike-in Movie Night
7 PM, Feature Movie at 9 PM, Cafe Mundi, 1704 E 5th St # 100
The first Monday of the month all summer long is Bike-in Movie night at Cafe Mundi. The movie is yet to be announced, but there will be a string of shorts we’ll be showing prior to the movie. Paul Fucik, from the Decoder Ring, will be supplying the poster art, and the Yellow Bike Project will be there selling items and promoting their fundraising for their new location.

Tuesday, May 5

Bike Commuting for Beginners Class
7 PM, REI Austin Downtown, 601 N Lamar Blvd
Have you considered commuting by bike to save money, get fit, beat rush hour, or be green? It’s time to stop wondering and get rolling! Join REI for a free “Beginner Bike Commuting” clinic, and learn how to prepare your bike, plan your route, and where to go for riding buddies, repair classes, and fun rides.

Yellow Bike Project Collective Meeting
7 PM, Bike Texas office, 1902 E 6th St
This is the monthly meeting of the Austin Yellow Bike Project. YBP offers regular open shop hours to allow you to use shop space and tools to repair and maintain your bike. They just asks all those who use the shop to volunteer time to YBP equal to what they use for their own personal projects.

Bike Shop Concert Series at Jack & Adams
7 PM, Jack & Adam’s Bicycles, 1210 Barton Spring Rd
Bring a blanket or chair over to Jack & Adam’s Bicycles on the 5th of every month for a new concert series by Woode Wood! This local musician will strum his guitar & sing some tunes for you & the kiddos. Rain out dates set for the 15th of the month if needed.

Mellow Movie Night #2: Cycle Craft Cinema
7 PM, Mellow Johnny’s Bike Shop, 400 Nueces St
The second round of films in the Bike Month series will showcase legendary bike artists as they share their craft. Builders such as Richard Sachs, Brooks, and more! Have a handbuilt bike of your own and want to show it off? Bring it by and let us feast your eyes on your latest creation. Snacks and drinks provided.