What is Bike Camp?
Bike Camp is an award-winning educational and training program for beginning cyclists as well as those who wish to get back into the sport. Designed for adults and minors, 12 and up (those under 18 must be accompanied by an adult), Bike Camp provides many opportunities for families and adults to learn safe and efficient road cycling.
Begun as a one-day event in 2005, Bike Camp has developed into a multi-day program that was honored in 2014 when it received the Ralph Finneren Encouragement Award from the League of Michigan Bicyclists.
What is the format of Bike Camp?
Bike Camp’s format is a series of six in-class and on-the-bike sessions led by League of American Bicyclists Certified Instructors.
Session 1
Thursday, May 5th, 2022 at 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Portage Senior Center, 320 Library Lane, Portage, MI 49002.
During this first session we will provide an overview of Bike Camp 2022 and brief presentations on bicycle selection, bike components & fit, what to wear and what to eat and drink while cycling, and some basic road safety tips and laws. We will also ask you to fill out a survey that will help us identify your current fitness level and bicycling goals. This is an informational session only; please do not bring your bike.
Sessions 2 & 4
Saturday mornings: May 7 & May 14 , 2022
Start at 8:30 a.m. – approximately 12:00 p.m. (End time varies based on distance and pace of group training rides.)
Each of the Saturday morning sessions will be a presentation about a specific aspect of bicycling or fitness followed by group training rides of various paces and distances that are led by experienced cyclists. Bike Campers at similar fitness levels and with similar distance goals will ride together. Helmets are required (as are bicycles in good working order, of course) for these Saturday morning sessions.
May 7th and May 14th: Portage Senior Center (click on link to see map). These group training rides will help Bike Campers develop better bike handling skills for riding in groups while building riding endurance.
Sessions 3 & 5
Monday evenings: May 9 & May 16 , 2022
Start at 5:45 p.m., ride start 6:15 p.m. (End time varies based on distance and pace of group training rides.)
May 9th and May 16th: Texas Township Park (click on link to see map). These group training rides will help Bike Campers become familiar with some of the routes followed on KBC’s Monday Evening Rides while continuing to develop better bike handling skills in groups and enhancing endurance. Ride with GPS maps of planned routes are as follows: 10 miles; 15 miles; 20 miles.
Session 6
Saturday, May 21, 2022
Start at TBD.
Saturday, May 21st: Wind + James, 555 E Eliza St, Schoolcraft, MI 49087 (click link to see map). You are invited to join fellow KBC members for our 50th Anniversary Celebration. There will be several group rides from short and easy to a 50-miler – a mile for each year of KBC! Afterward, we will have a celebration party to refuel and rehydrate after our rides, tell stories of the last 50 years, hand out our annual member awards, and congratulate our Bike Camp graduates (and new KBC members!). 50th Anniversary Party starts at 5:00 p.m.
What else do I get besides these Bike Camp sessions?
Free entry to KalTour
As a participant in Bike Camp, you receive a free entry fee to KalTour – KBC’s annual bike tour offering routes of various distances around Kalamazoo County. You may decide on the day of the tour (the 2022 KalTour will be on Sunday, June 26th) which of the routes to ride. This is a $45 value for individuals and a $80 value for families.
One-year membership in the Kalamazoo Bicycle Club
Bike Camp participants are also enrolled as KBC members for one year. Club membership includes receiving the club’s monthly electronic PedalPress newsletter about Club happenings as well as access to the Club’s Ride with GPS Club Account and route library. This is a $25 value for individuals and a $35 value for families. Existing KBC memberships will be extended for one year.
How much does Bike Camp cost?
- $70.00 for individuals before May 1st, $85.00 after
- $85.00 for families (of up to two adults and two minors) before May 1st, $100.00 after
How do I register for Bike Camp?
Registration for Bike Camp is through the City of Portage website. Below is a link to the registration page.
Individual Registration for Bike Camp
Family Registration for Bike Camp
Resources to help you ride safe and smart this year:
- League of Michigan Bicyclists ‘What Every Michigan Bicyclist Must Know’ book, click here
- League of American Bicyclists Smart Cycling videos, click here
Questions about KBC Bike Camp?
For further assistance, email: bikecamp@kalamazoobicycleclub.org
Kalamazoo Bicycle Club
PO Box 50527
Kalamazoo, Michigan 49005
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