Downtown Bentonville, Inc. has partnered with Walmart’s Bicycle Leadership Council to produce the B2: Bicycle Blast in downtown Bentonville on Saturday (Sept.) 11 at 9 a.m.
The event will feature a Bicycle Rodeo and parade, local stunt team Self Destruct, and autograph session by four of the top stunt riders in the United States: Travis Pastrana, Mike Spinner, Donny Robinson and Jim DeChamp. Mayor McCaslin will also deliver a few remarks and ask for a moment of silence for those that fell September 11, 2001. He will be immediately followed by the NWA Children’s Choir singing the national anthem under the direction of Rachael Cornett.
The Bike Rodeo will feature bike safety inspections, workshops on rules of the road and a ride on a miniature “chalk street” course set up in a parking lot where young cyclists are shown where and how to apply the rules of the road. Other activities include helmet fittings, and booths from bike groups, shops and bike suppliers. Every Bike Rodeo participant will receive a water bottle from Bell Helmets. Mongoose will have a drawing for two free bikes—a 20” girls bike and a 20” boy’s bike—at noon.
“Bicycling is a great way to maintain a healthy lifestyle, and we all need take precautions to prevent unnecessary injuries,” said Dr. John Agwunobi, Senior Vice President of Walmart Health and Wellness and Executive Champion of the Walmart Bicycle Leadership Council. “It’s important that we have safe places to ride our bikes in this area and teach our kids best practices for riding. I’m proud of events, such as B2 in Bentonville, designed to train young people the importance of staying safe while creating healthy habits.”
The Walmart Bicycle Leadership Council developed the Bike Rodeo concept in 2009 and has worked with a large group of volunteers to expand the 2010 program.
The B2: Bicycle Blast Bike Rodeo will be held in the Downtown Bentonville Arvest parking lot starting at 9 a.m. All participants will need to bring a bicycle in good repair, a helmet and a waiver signed by a parent. The first 300 registrants will receive a poster autographed by each of the nationally acclaimed bicycle stunt riders.
The quartet of champions – Travis Pastrana, Mike Spinner, Donny Robinson and Jim DeChamp – will be signing posters from 9:45 am – 11:45 am. Local stunt riders, Team Self-Destruct, will perform at 10 a.m., 10:45 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. at NE A and Legion Streets.
Immediately following the morning activities, Mayor McCaslin will deliver remarks and officially start the parade. The Bicycle Parade will start at NE A and Legion Streets and will be led by the Walmart Visitor Center replica of Sam Walton’s truck.
Along with the weekly Bentonville Farmers Market, NE A Street will also be lined with booths, including Phat Tire, Mojo Cycle, Easton-Bell Helmets and Mongoose Bikes and Rush Running to provide tips and tricks for becoming better cyclists. Members of F.A.S.T. and NWA Tri-athletes will also be in attendance.
