Cycling
A
CELEBRATION
Laguna Bicycle Festival gears up for its inaugural event with demos , group rides , films , live music , guest speakers and more .
By SHARON STELLO
Laguna Beach is home to mountain biking legends , biking clubs for kids and adults , top-rated trails , plenty of road biking opportunities and longtime bike shops and brands , so it makes perfect sense to have a celebration dedicated to the sport in this town . After three years of planning , it ’ s finally coming to fruition this fall when the Laguna Bicycle Festival descends on the Festival of Arts grounds Oct . 25-27 .
“ We have so much history in Laguna ,” says Blair “ Air Blair ” Liggatt , festival founder and director , mentioning greats like Troy Lee and the Crankbrothers brand .
Liggatt hopes to make the festival an annual staple in town . “ We have been overwhelmed with response from all over the world ,” he says of support for the inaugural event . Liggatt ’ s vision is to celebrate the biking lifestyle for pros and beginners alike while also supporting local bike shops and raising money for charities including All Kids Bike , Ride 4 Autism , the Grow Cycling Foundation and Laguna Canyon Riders , a local youth mountain biking team for which Liggatt is a coach and board member . Proceeds from a silent auction and raffle during the event will benefit these organizations .
Festival attendees will have plenty to peruse over three days . Check out the Evolution of the Bicycle showcase , a museum-style display of bikes from all eras highlighting the innovation and design of bicycles and how they have changed through history . “ We want to showcase the art of the bicycle ,” Liggatt says . An exhibit of beautiful bikes from vintage to BMX and custom-built designs will also be competing for best of show awards to be determined by judges ; plus , attendees may vote for a fan favorite . And wander through the trade show and expo featuring some of the top manufacturers of bikes for riding on road , gravel and mountain terrain as well as BMX and e-bikes . Then be wowed by live stunt shows featuring professional athletes performing tricks on BMX bikes . Festival guests will also have the opportunity to try out demo bikes , ride the course and join one of many biking clinics — for all ages and riding levels — led by professional coaches and athletes .
Food and craft beer will be available for purchase and the Laguna Beach Fire Department will put on a pancake breakfast . The festival soundtrack will be provided by bands including the Tijuana Dogs , Corday , Lousy Little Gods and local musicians Ethan Staus and Pilot Touhill , all performing live during the event . Other entertainment includes unicycle and acrobat performers , a penny farthing ( vintage high wheeler ) bike race on opening day and adult tricycle races on 29-inch custom trikes .
Additionally , the festival will present some of the best bicycle documentaries and short films in the on-site Forum Theater , where attendees can also find guest speakers and Q & A sessions with athletes from the bike industry on leadership , life coaching and bicycle travel adventures .
Above : The Laguna Bicycle Festival will present BMX stunt shows among many other displays and activities on the three-day schedule . Left : Blair Liggatt , festival founder and director
Live podcast interviews will take place daily with favorite bicycle athletes and stars from the past and present on the podcast stage . And festival attendees will also have the chance to meet and greet current and former pro athletes including Bob Haro , Richie Schley , Hans “ No Way ” Rey , Eliot Jackson , Brian Lopes , Troy Lee , Eddie Fiola , Mike “ Hollywood ” Miranda , Bill Allen ( Cru Jones in the movie “ Rad ”) and more to be announced soon .
The family-friendly event will also have plenty to keep the kids entertained with arts and crafts as well as races on an indoor bike track for ages 3-7 ( Strider Balance Bikes will be available to use ) and an all-ages pump track , which is a circuit with banked turns , rollers and berms allowing a bike rider to move along by pumping their body up and down rather than by pedaling or pushing .
Attendees are also invited to participate in one of many group rides to be led by popular athletes and social media stars . Shuttle services will be available to favorite trail systems in the surrounding areas . And the festival will partner with the 10th annual Laguna Beach Dirt Fondo , a bike riding challenge with both 25- and 50-mile routes on some of the area ’ s best trails , fire roads and bike paths . Not a race , the event will emphasize having a fun and safe time and learning more about Laguna ’ s open space . Limited to the first 100 riders who sign up , the ride is a fundraiser for the Laguna Canyon Riders . g
LAGUNA BICYCLE FESTIVAL Oct . 25-27 ; Festival of Arts grounds ; lagunabikefest . com
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