Roswell Cycling Festival Returns this Weekend

Once again, Roswell will come alive with the whirl of bicycles rolling through the city this weekend during the return of the Roswell Cycling Festival, Saturday, April 30 through Sunday, May 1.

“It’s a big deal,” said Craig Voth, a local cycling enthusiast and member of the Roswell-Alpharetta Mountain Bike Organization, as well as Bike Roswell!.

Known for being Georgia’s only bicycle-friendly community, Roswell attracts visitors from all over the region who specifically come to participate in the city’s cycling activities throughout the year. But the festival is uniquely special.

Over the two-day event, visitors and residents will experience the best in cycling with activities to entertain the entire family.

The festival kicks off Saturday with the opening of two pump tracks – a beginner track and an intermediate/advanced track – at the Big Creek Park mountain bike trails. On Sunday, anyone can join Mayor Jere Wood for the annual “Roswell Mayor’s Ride” at 8 a.m. at Roswell Area Park, hosted by Bike Roswell! The ride, which is broken into three skill levels, will be followed by a picnic on the lawn at the corner of Woodstock Road and Canton Street.

But it's not over yet.

Stick around to watch the Roswell Criterium - a series of professional and amateur cycling races on a closed course through Historic downtown Roswell.

"It’s the only event where the city actually closes Canton Street. They don’t even do that for 'Alive After 5,'" said Voth.

This year, the festival also features "Moving Parts of the Arts" bicycle art, which has been displayed throughout the historic district for the past month.

Check out the following schedule to see if you might want to stop by for part - or all - of the festivities: 

Saturday, April 30

  What: Mountain Bike Day and Pump Track grand opening - sponsored by the Roswell-Alpharetta Mountain Bike Organization and Roswell Bicycles. Two pump tracks will open, one for beginners and one for intermediate/advanced riders. There will also be a skills clinic taught by The Downhill Team. 

When: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Where: Big Creek Park 

Sunday, May 1

What: Roswell Mayor's Ride - featuring three levels: 

◦                Free Family Ride (6 miles) - around old town Roswell

◦                20-mile challenge ride/40-mile workout ride - Roswell Bicycles will offer free demonstration rides on the course, as well as specialized bicycles and FELT bicycles. To use one of these state-of-the-art bicycles register by calling 770-642-4057.

When: 8 a.m.

Where: Roswell Area Park, 10495 Woodstock Road

What: Roswell Criterium - A professional and amateur bicycle race, the event will add a new feature this year with the "Fat Tire Crit," which showcases mountain bikes with knobby (fat) tires in a race around the criterium course.

When: Beginning mid-morning, racers compete throughout the day

Where: Roswell's Historic District