Fixed Riders To Hold Bike Event

By Catherine Cunico
April 16, 2009

The Fixed Riders of Blacksburg will host Ride Free and Die Hard, a collective bicycle event at 211 Barger St., Friday. 

The Fixed Riders of Blacksburg, a local group on Facebook run by Virginia Tech students, received sponsorship for the event by Keirin Culture, a bicycle company, and Red Bull. 

"There are four events people can choose to participate in." said Zack Madrigal, Fixed Riders member. "A track stand competition, long distance skid competition, tournament style sprint, and an alley cat like scavenger hunt race." 

The alley cat race will be where bicyclist must ride from one place to another, following clues until they reach the finish. 

Bicyclists competing must ride a fixed-gear bicycle for all events, except the alley cat race.

Participants in the alley cat race can ride either a fixed-gear or a single-speed bicycle. 

 "There will be at least thirty cases of Red Bull," said Madrigal.

"Maya Renfro made spoke cards for the event that have ride free and die hard on the front and a picture she drew on the back," he added.  The spoke cards will be handed out at sign up. 

People interested can sign up starting at 7 p.m. when they arrive, and need to be ready to compete by 7:30 p.m.

There is a $3 entry fee for any one who wants to compete.

"Fixed Riders of Blacksburg are going to begin having monthly rides starting this year in August," Madrigal said. "The race Friday is just a way to get people back into riding again now that it's warm." 

People interested can learn more about the event by going to the Facebook group Fixed Riders of Blacksburg and looking at the upcoming Ride Free And Die Hard event.