BikeFest is a major fundraiser for area cycling groups, but the October 2024 event in Hillsborough drew fewer rides (460, down from nearly 600 in 2023) and resulted in a sizeable reduction in grants to bike organizations.
Mark Olsen of Carolina Tarwheels, ride organizers, said grants awarded this year totaled $5,250, compared to $12,000 last year. The Tarwheels also had nearly 100 volunteers helping support three rides that started in Hillsborough on the first Saturday in October.
Olsen said “attendance was down, probably due to hurricane threats that clobbered communities in the mountains.
And some costs, notably insurance, were up significantly.” Signup deadline was Sep. 29, the weekend when Helene struck WNC.
Grants this fall were $1,500 to Triangle Bike Works, $1,500 Bridge 2 Sports, $750 Bike Durham, $750 Bikewalk NC, $750 Durham Bike Coop.
Olsen said the Tarwheels were looking ahead at some cost reductions and better marketing “so we can increase what we provide to the groups we support.”
In both 2022 and 2023 BikeFest grants worth $12,000 went to the six organizations. The 2021 event was canceled.