Bike Rack to be Unveiled at Business Expo

Submitted by Bike Walk Simsbury

The first, one-of-a-kind bike rack for the town of Simsbury will be unveiled on Tuesday, April 10, during the Annual Open House and Business Expo, 5-8 p.m., Tower Ridge Country Club.  

Designed by Simsbury steel-and-clay-artist Vicente Garcia, the bike rack will be installed at the lower-level of the Simsbury Public Library, a gift from the town.  

The exhibit also will include information on the Simsbury Bike Sculpture, which Garcia constructed with more than 190 pieces of recycled steel that were individually cut, sanded and welded. 

Fundraising efforts are now underway for the sculpture, which will be installed early June on the corner of Hopmeadow Street and Winslow Place, in front of the commuter parking lot in Weatogue.   

Visitors who stop by the Bike Walk Simsbury exhibit will get a free bike pin, a schedule of May events and rides in Simsbury during National Bike Month, and the chance to view and sit on a recumbent bicycle, hand cycle or trike from CT Adaptive Cycling, which is a Simsbury-based, not-for-profit organization.

One of the baskets to be raffled that evening is from The Bicycle Cellar and will include several bike-related items.  

"The Business Expo is a great way to learn the latest biking news in Simsbury," said Ann Marie Potter of Bike Walk Simsbury. "We're celebrating National Bike Month in a big way in May by organizing  nearly two-dozen, guided bike rides, a Kids' Bike Rodeo, a Stunt Biker, an Adult/Teen Bike Education Class, and more.  Most rides and events are free and we want to get the word out so everyone - families with young children, Saturday riders, experienced riders - can come and see why Simsbury is the first and only Bicycle-Friendly Community in Connecticut. "  

The Farmington Canal Heritage Trail/East Coast Greenway runs more than eight miles through Simsbury, from the Avon and Granby lines. "We want to share this gem with anyone and everyone who is looking for fun, free recreation with family and friends," Potter said.  

Tickets to the Annual Open House and Business Expo are $20 in advance; $30 at the door.  For more information, go to http://simsburycoc.org/ and click on the calendar.