Wrigley remembered at Inaugural Velo Fest

Heather Neville reported to Historic City News that Velo Fest Community Initiative would hold a 2-day cycling festival that includes a parade, a pro race, a touring ride, and a memorial ride for Bryan Wrigley; the 23-year-old University of St Augustine student that was killed by a hit-and-run driver last year.

Bryan B. Wrigley of West Columbia, South Carolina, was a member of a local bicycle-riding club. Traffic Homicide Investigators determined that Wrigley was riding his bicycle westbound on West King Street when he was struck by a passing vehicle. His body was located in a ditch on the side of CR-214 by another motorist on April 13, 2011.

“To date we have completed two projects that have had a high impact to our county,” Neville told Historic City News. “Sharrows have been installed on the Bridge of Lions and the St Johns County Bike Route Map has been created.”

The inaugural festival is planned for April 13th and 14th and will showcase a community of bikes parade at 5:30 p.m. starting at the Historic Downtown Parking Facility, riding through the historic district, concluding at Flagler College with a free educational event.

Saturday morning at 7:00 a.m., spectators can watch professional cyclists race through the city streets; with commentary by international triathlete and resident, Dirk Bockel.

The Wrigley Ride will begin, and end, at the St Augustine Amphitheatre at 2:00 p.m. — taking riders past Wrigley’s memorial ghost bike. Bryan’s mother, Mandy, will be on the route to hand out flowers for riders to drop at the site where her son was killed.

Afterwards, there will be music, food and fun activities until 8:00 p.m. at the St Augustine Amphitheatre. SweetWater Brewery is on tap with the sounds of The Red River Band, Son of a Bad Man, and Flagship Romance.

Neville said that next year, Velo Fest Community Initiative is partnering with the City of St Augustine, North Florida TPO, Florida Department of Transportation and other organizations locally, to pursue the infrastructure needs suggested by the Transportation Planning Organization study for St Augustine. More information can be found at www.velofest.org.

Velo Fest Community Initiative is a local 501(c)3 non-profit organization whose mission is to educate the cycling community, and community at large, about the historical significance of cycling; as well as build a mutually beneficial environment where cyclists and 4 plus wheels can co-exist to make a more peaceful commuting experience, while decreasing carbon foot print, promoting healthy activity, and promoting the cultural importance of cycling.

Photo credits: © 2012 Historic City News contributed photograph by Todd Neville