Second Annual Velo Fest Festival this weekend

Velo Fest Community Initiative has invited all Historic City News readers to attend the Second Annual Velo Fest Festival this weekend; beginning Friday evening at 5:30 p.m. with a “Community of Bikes” parade that kicks off at the Historic Downtown Parking Facility in St Augustine.

The three-day festival, April 12, 13, and 14, commemorates the April 13, 2011, hit and run crash that killed Bryan Bennett Wrigley; a 23-year-old student at the University of St Augustine who was a member of a local bicycle riding club.

“I will never get over the loss of my son,” Bryan’s mother, Mandy Wrigley, told Historic City News local reporters. “The first year you are in shock and numb, but the second year is worse.” Mandy, Kevin Wrigley Bryan’s twin brother, and Bryan’s father have struggled these past 2 years trying to cope with this tragedy.

Event organizer, Heather Neville, said that with a bicycle-related death every 6 months in St Johns County, on average, Velo Fest has become the sounding board for the community at large — as well as a place for the families of victims to seek peace at such a terrible time.

Friday’s parade rides through the historic district in downtown St Augustine; ending at Flagler College where a free educational event will be presented.

Saturday morning at 7:00 a.m., spectators can watch over 250 professional and competitive cyclists’ race through the old streets in the “Old City Criterium”.

“Wrigley Ride”, a memorial ride for Bryan Wrigley, will begin and end in the historic city at 12:00 noon and will take riders on a course past Bryan’s memorial ghost bike. Bryan’s brother will be on the route to hand out ribbons for riders to tie to his ghost bike at the site of his death on CR-214.

The events Saturday wrap up with music, food and fun until 7:00 p.m. at Francis Field on Castillo Drive West. SweetWater Brewery is on tap with the sounds of local artists. This year we have joined forces with the VW Bulli Bus Brigade on the field.

Sunday the Sykes and Cooper Road Race will debut with 68-miles of racing. We encourage everyone to watch, ride, or race to any of the events to show their support.

More information on where to register and the event schedule can be found at www.velofest.org.

Velo Fest Community Initiative is a 501(c) 3 based in St. Augustine, FL. The mission of Velo Fest 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.