Weekends like this remind you why it’s great to be a cyclist in Austin. In addition to Austin on Two Wheels‘ Boggy Creek Farm Picnic ride, there are several Art Week Austin rides, multiple supported charity rides, the ACA Bikenanza Bike Show, and Frankenbike. You gotta really be trying not to ride your bike this weekend.

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 22

Thursday Night Bike Polo
5:30 PM, Eastwoods Park, 3001 Harris Park Ave
The Austin Bike Polo Club’s weekday match. 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.

PURE Austin Fitness Driveway Crit Series
5 PM, The Driveway, 8400 Delwau Lane
Weekly Thursday night road racing through October that takes place on the closed car-free driving course at the Driveway. Races include Cat 3/4 women’s and juniors race at 5:00, Cat 4/5 at 6:10, Cat 3/4 at 5:30, Pro/Cat 1/2/3 at 6:45 to choose from  Races registration $20. Full and 1/2 season passes available. USA Cycling annual or one day license required. One days for sale at race.

Art Week Austin Ride: Downtown Art in Public Places to Pecha Kucha
6 PM, Mellow Johnny’s Bike Shop, 400 Nueces St
Mellow Johnny’s is leading the Art Rides during the week of April 21-24. The Art Rides are guided bike tours that explore the public art downtown and on the University of Texas campus, focusing on murals, sculptures, mosaics and plantings.  The tour is during the week of Art Week Austin and is in partnership with the City of Austin Art in Public Places, UT Landmarks The Public Arts Program of the University of Texas, and the Art Alliance Austin.
Bike rentals are available at Mellow Johnny’s and Collector Badge holders receive free bike rentals for tours subject to availability. RSVP required and online rental reservations at http://mellowjohnnys.com/artweek.php. Helmets required.

Thursday Night Social Ride
7:30 PM, Metz Park, 2407 Canterbury St
A ride from the Facebook group Social Cycling ATX. Meet up at 7:30, ride at 8:00.  “As usual, we will take a nice ride around town, stop, hang out and ride some more. When we are done, we will be heading to The Creekside Lounge (http://thecreeksidelounge.com/) for some free beer, DJ’s and a dance party. The fine folks at The Creekside Lounge are allowing parking on the back patio, space permitting. Thanks Creekside!” Read our recent article on the popular weekly ride.

Friday, April 23

Art Week Austin Ride: Downtown Art in Public Places to Art Installation at Republic Square
Noon, Mellow Johnny’s Bike Shop, 400 Nueces St
Mellow Johnny’s is leading the Art Rides during the week of April 21-24. The Art Rides are guided bike tours that explore the public art downtown and on the University of Texas campus, focusing on murals, sculptures, mosaics and plantings.  The tour is during the week of Art Week Austin and is in partnership with the City of Austin Art in Public Places, UT Landmarks The Public Arts Program of the University of Texas, and the Art Alliance Austin.
Bike rentals are available at Mellow Johnny’s and Collector Badge holders receive free bike rentals for tours subject to availability. RSVP required and online rental reservations at http://mellowjohnnys.com/artweek.php. Helmets required.

Live from the Plaza Commuter Challenge Registration
Noon- 1 PM, Austin City Hall Plaza, 301 W. 2nd St
Every Friday in April (April 9, 16, 23, and 30) at noon at Austin City Hall Plaza – 301 W. 2nd Street. Join us each Friday in April as we gear up for the Austin Commuter Challenge in May!  We’ll be listening to the great bands and getting folks signed up for the Commuter Challenge.

Critical Mass is next Friday. April Critical Mass Ride
5 PM, West Mall UT Campus
This bike jamming ride is designed to shout to the world that bikes belongs and occurs on the last Friday of the month. You never know what will happen, but don’t miss this foundation of the Austin bike culture we know today.

Traffic Skills 101 sponsored by Austin Cycling Association
5 PM, REI Gateway, 9901 N Capitol of Texas Hwy, Ste 200
Do you want to ride your bike but are afraid of traffic? Or are you an experienced cyclist who would like to learn how to get more courtesy and respect from motorists? If your answer to any of these questions is “yes”, you should take Traffic Skills 101, the League of American Bicyclist’s (LAB) street cycling course for adults. Traffic Skills 101 will help you ride safely and effectively – to work, to the store, around your neighborhood, or around the state. Traffic Skills 101 is taught by LAB-certified instructors, and the curriculum covers everything from bike selection to simple maintenance to fixing a flat, to strategies for riding a bike safely and confidently. It is taught to very small classes (generally 5 to 10 students), in two sessions: 4 hours on a Friday evening and 5 hours on a Saturday morning. Registration is required.

Fast Fridays Ride
7:30 PM, Lamar Blvd Pfluger Pedestrian Bridge
A brand spankin’ new weekly ride: “1 gear or several gears please come out and pedal hard with us!!! this will be weekly ride starting this friday…its similar to the metal mash but no free beer at the end of the ride… however would like to park drink afterwards…hope to see you guys and gals out there…Fast Fridays!!!”

Saturday, April 24

The Red Poppy Ride
8 AM, Georgetown High School Annex, 2295 North Austin Avenue, Georgetown, TX
The Red Poppy Ride is an enjoyable spring bike ride of 14, 30, 45, 62 or 100 miles on beautiful country roads through picturesque Williamson County. After The Red Poppy Ride, enjoy The Red Poppy Festival in Historic Downtown Georgetown. The Red Poppy Ride benefits the SERTOMA Scholarship Fund for Georgetown ISD as well as the Georgetown Police Department Impact Unit (Bike Patrol Unit).

Hill Country Ride for AIDS
8 AM, Krause Springs, Spicewood, TX
The Hill Country Ride for AIDS is an annual cycling event that rolls through beautiful central Texas.  Riders and volunteers raise money for life saving support for thousands of Central Texans living with HIV/AIDS.  It’s a Ride, not a race, all levels are welcomed and celebrated.  You choose the distance that best suites you: 10, 45, 65, 100 miles or our scenic mountain bike trail, and all routes are fully supported with helpful volunteers.  This is a Ride for the whole family, including special pricing for the kids. Required Fundraising Minimum of $500.

Art Week Austin Ride: UT Landmarks to Art City
8:30 AM , Mellow Johnny’s Bike Shop, 400 Nueces St
Mellow Johnny’s is leading the Art Rides during the week of April 21-24. The Art Rides are guided bike tours that explore the public art downtown and on the University of Texas campus, focusing on murals, sculptures, mosaics and plantings.  The tour is during the week of Art Week Austin and is in partnership with the City of Austin Art in Public Places, UT Landmarks The Public Arts Program of the University of Texas, and the Art Alliance Austin. Bike rentals are available at Mellow Johnny’s and Collector Badge holders receive free bike rentals for tours subject to availability. RSVP required and online rental reservations at http://mellowjohnnys.com/artweek.php. Helmets required.

Boggy Creek Farm Picnic Tour Social Ride
Meet up at 11:30 AM, Leave at 12:00 PM, BoConcept, 430 W 2nd St
Austin on Two Wheels is teaming up with Keith Byrd from Social Cycling ATX offering three exceptional social rides this spring that highlight the best of what Austin has to offer: Taste of Downtown Tour, Pampered Pedal Ride, and Boggy Creek Farm Picnic Ride. Our second tour will give you an opportunity to explore one of Austin’s best organic urban farms followed by a picnic lunch at the farm prepared by local chef Chris Howard. We’ll start at our ride host BoConcept the 2nd Street District and take a leisurely ride a few miles to the east to Boggy Creek Farm. You will have a chance to purchase locally grown produce fresh from the field and will be guided on a personal tour of the farm. After the tour, we’ll have a meal cooked with ingredients from Boggy Creek Farm and a brief Q&A with the chef on how you can prepare this meal yourself. After lunch, we’ll ride back together to BoConcept. Farm tour and your choice of meat or vegetarian lunch will be included in the ride registration. Bring a bike, your friends and have a good time. Limited number of demo bikes also available. NOTE: Space is limited to 48 riders & we currently only have 7 spots left. Register today to secure your spot!

ACA Bikenanza Bike Show
Noon- 3:30 PM, The Peddler, 5015 Duval St
If want participate in some bike voyeurism, the Austin Cycling Association wants you and your bike for their Bikenanza Bike Show and Fundraiser this Saturday at The Peddler. Five dollars gets you one entry into one of the four categories:  Single speed, Beater, Multi-speed and Ladies. Enter as many bikes as you like for $5 each. 12-1  Registration.

Frankenbike #57
Noon- 4 PM, Blue Genie Art Industries, 916 Springdale Rd. Bldg. 4
Austin’s semi-regular bike parts swap is back. Need a saddle or set of pedals to finish off that project bike? Have a box of never used or lightly used bike parts in the garage your significant other wants you to get rid of? Frankenbike is your answer. Stop by for a bit or stay all afternoon to hawk you wares. As always, admission is free, recycling great stuff is priceless.

Texas Rollergirls presents: Rockin’ Rollerderby Pre-Bout Social Ride
3:00 PM, State Capitol
Join the Texas Rollergirls as they trade in quads for 2 wheels for this fun-filled social ride Derby Scrimmage! Ride ends at bout at Playland Skate Center. Cyclists get VIP entry and discounts.

April 25

Sunday Morning Fixie Ride
10:20 AM, Posse East, 2900 Duval St
The ride is focused on fixed-gear bikes, but everyone is welcome. The ride will proceed at a social pace from the UT campus on various routes of 25-35 miles.

Dutch Bike & Cargo Bike Demo Day
1- 5 PM, BoConcept, 430 W 2nd St
Test ride stylish and supremely comfortable Dutch city bikes and cargo bikes at Bo Concept. This demo day is part of a consumer feedback study in preparation for making these bikes available as part of a new concept bike store in Austin dedicated to the simple pleasure of riding with friends, not competition or workouts. This bike demo day is being put on in conjunction with the Discover the City on Two Wheels Spring Urban Living Ride Series.

Monday, April 26

Weekly Ladies Ride presented by Mellow Johnny’s
5:30 PM, Mellow Johnny’s Bike Show, 400 Nueces St
At 5:30 PM, it’s a 2 hour ride for ladies only. Join experienced riders from Mellow Johnny’s for a friendly and moderately paced social ride (14-16mph average). Get more comfortable riding in a group, learn tips & tricks, and meet other like-minded cyclists. Stay afterward for champagne and strawberries at Royal Blue Grocery across the street. Some things to keep in mind before meeting us for this ride: You need a road bike in good working condition; a helmet; cycling clothing; plenty of water; and are able to ride comfortably for 2 hours without stopping.

The 6:00 Social
6 PM, Mellow Johnny’s Bike Show, 400 Nueces St
Mellow Johnny’s has a new weekday ride. It’s the 6:00 Social. It’s not the “ladies” ride. It’s co-ed. Meet at Mellow Johnny’s on Monday evenings and leaving at 6p. The ride will be 30 miles for 2-2.5hrs at 13-16mph; through neighborhoods, official bike routes, crossing a couple of large roadways, and two short sections on access roads. Helmets and lights are required (it will be dark before we return).

Heavy Metal Fitness Ride hosted by Social Cycling ATX
7:30 PM, Lamar Blvd Pfluger Pedestrian Bridge
The Heavy Metal Fitness Ride has returned! Hosted by Social Cycling ATX, this ride is a higher pace and more challenging than their Thursday Night Urban Ride. The ride is 20-30 miles and usually ends with free beer and a dip in the water. Meet up at 7 PM. Ride leaves at 7:30 sharp.

Wednesday, April 28

Hump Day Ride hosted by Social Cycling ATX
Noon, Lamar Blvd Pfluger Pedestrian Bridge, Lady Bird Lake
The latest new ride from Social Cycling ATX. Social paced ride for the riders that can make it out during the work week. We will have a few stops one at a coffee shop and one for lunch. All levels are welcome. Share with your “funemployed” friends.

Weekly Bike Maintenance and Flat Repair Classes hosted by Mellow Johnny’s
6 PM, Mellow Johnny’s Bike Shop, 400 Nueces St
Every Wednesday at 6pm Mellow Johnny’s has bike maintenance and flat repair classes. Learn how to fix a flat tire and add life to your bike with simple maintenance and repairs. Please RSVP to Chuck at chuck@mellowjohnnys.com if you plan on attending on of the classes. Classes fill up quickly so RSVP soon so you don’t get left out!

Free Yoga for Cyclists
7:30 PM, Mellow Johnny’s Bike Shop, 400 Nueces St
Cyclists, Come in for Restorative Yoga at Mellow Johnny’s Every Wednesday from April 14 – May 26. Lengthen and loosen muscles while preventing injury with John Trujillo and Anne Haskett. Join us after a ride, run, or a long day at work. Mats are provided by MJ’s.

Fast Folks Ladies Ride
8:30 PM, Fast Folks, 2513 East 6th St
Austin’s fixed gear bike shop Fast Folks has started a weekly ladies ride as an alternative to the normally male dominated rides.