The Aldrich will mark the opening of Bike Rides: The Exhibition by hosting Bike Fest—a celebration of all things bicycle from 1 to 5 pm. The festival will feature live bike performances; free Cannondale demos; tune-ups by the Bike Doctor; primp-my-bike contests; prizes; rides; helmet fittings; family activities; an appearance by Yahoo’s Purple Pedals Bike; refreshment tents; and MORE throughout the day.

Cyclists are encouraged to join us from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm for Le Tour d'Aldrich—organized bicycle rides for all abilities, which will culminate at the festival.

PROGRAM OF EVENTS:

Begins at 11:30 am
Le Tour d'Aldrich—Join an organized bike ride
On the occasion of Bike Rides: The Exhibition The Aldrich has organized three rides for cyclists of all abilities, which will culminate at the Museum for Bike Fest. $25 adults (includes ride, festival admission, and t-shirt); FREE for Sound Cyclists Bicycle Club members.
START: East Ridge Middle School, 10 East Ridge Road, Ridgefield, CT 06877
FINISH: The Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum, 258 Main Street, Ridgefield, CT 06877
Ride I: Novice (13.4 miles; 9–10 miles per hour; 1.5 hours)
Ride II: Intermediate (22.5 miles; 11–12 miles per hour; 2.5 hours)
Ride III: Advanced (27 miles; 13–14 miles per hour; 2.5 hours)
Cyclists must be 18 years or older, bring their own bicycles, and wear helmets.
Estimated route distances and times take regrouping into consideration.
Ride leaders will provide maps and directions at registration.

Begins at 1 pm
Bike Rides: The Exhibition—Meet the Artists
Organized by Aldrich curators Richard Klein and Mónica Ramírez-Montagut, with the advice of musician, artist, and bicycle advocate David Byrne, the exhibition explores the growing relevance of bicycles in contemporary art and culture. Bike Rides: The Exhibition will remain on view through January, 3, 2010, and include artworks or bikes from Lance Armstrong; Bamboo Bike Studio (Justin Aguinaldo, Sean Murray, and Marty Odin); Guy Ben-Ner; Jonathan Brand; David Byrne; Cai Guo-Qiang; Cannondale Bicycle Corporation; David Gelfman; Subodh Gupta; Bari Kumar; Jarbas Lopes; Miguel Luciano; Mexican Pride (Francisco Javier Ceballos, Rogelio and Braulio Martinez, and Vicente Olivares); PARLEE Cycles; Carolina Pedraza; Puerto Rico Schwinn Club (Martha Clavijo, “El Gallo,” and Orlando Rivera); Richard Sachs; Tom Sachs; Secret School and the K.I.D.S. (Colin McMullan [aka EMCEE C.M.] and Huong Ngo); Seven Cycles; David Sowerby and Danny MacAskill; Studio Tractor (Peter Kirkiles design + fabrication and Studio Tractor Architecture); and Rob Vandermark.

Begins at 2 pm
Live Performances on Wheels—Watch Bike Tricks and MORE!
Watch unicycle tricks, and picture-taking, drawing-making, and beverage-serving bicycles! Experience the sound-system speaker-adorned Pimp My Piragua of Miguel Luciano; the greenhouse tricycle of Secret School and the K.I.D.S.; the tricked-out vintage rides of the Brooklyn-based Puerto Rico Schwinn Club; and MORE!

Begins at 3:30 pm
Primp-my-bike Contest—Enter to win a new Bike
Show up for Bike Fest in style! Trick out your bike before coming to The Aldrich for a chance to go home with a new ride–a Cannondale bike! Prizes will be awarded in both kids and adult categories for artistic and technical merit. So get out those neon lights and chrome fixings or broomsticks and streamers, and ride down to The Aldrich for Bike Fest! Bring your primped bike for display by 3:30 pm; winners announced at 4:45 pm! The contest will be judged by Bike Rides exhibiting artists Jonathan Brand, Miguel Luciano, and Sean Murray.

Refreshment Tents Open all Day
Bring your appetite! The Ginger Man of South Norwalk will be on tap with a variety of autumn brews and have the grills fired-up for a healthy cook-out. Tasty good-living snacks by Nestlé Waters, Steaz Teas, and Beyond granola will also be available.

Special Thanks to our Sponsors:
The festival and the exhibition are funded, in part, by Cannondale Bicycle Corporation; Danbury Porsche; Purkiss Capital Advisors, LLC; HSBC Bank, US, NA; TARGETRAINING; Outdoor Sports Center; Water Street Markets, LLC; Nestlé Waters North America; Beyond granola; and Sound Cyclists Bicycle Club.

The Aldrich is supported, in part, by the Connecticut Commission on Culture & Tourism; the National Endowment for the Arts; and the Institute for Museum and Library Services.

The official media sponsors for the exhibition opening are WSHU Public Radio and Connecticut Cottages & Gardens.

Ridgefield Magazine is the official media sponsor of Le Tour d'Aldrich—organized bicycle rides for all abilities.