Well, this weekend marks the official start of the Seattle summer (though pessimistic Seattleites may insist summer starts after July 4). There is no better way to celebrate freedom than by riding a bicycle. Tell your friends they can try to drive to Gas Works Park for the fireworks show if they want, or they can hop a bike with you and actually have fun!

Here is a likely incomplete list of bike events this weekend. If you know of anything to add, please note it in the comments.

A Haulin’ Colin Fourth

From Aaron’s Bicycle Repair:

This July 4^th will be the 5^th Annual Independence Day Cargo Bike Ride & Picnic. Come ride with us to celebrate your independence from motor vehicles and gasoline. All kinds of bikes and bikers are welcome. CARGO BIKE NOT REQUIRED! Expect to see lots of Xtracycles, Bakfietsen, Trailers, Customized Racks, Baskets, and more!

Meet at the Pergola at First and Yesler in Pioneer Square at noon, leave at 1 PM. The destination is Terminal 107, a very pleasant park hidden among the industry along the Duwamish waterway. We’ll stop at Uwajimaya for supplies, then take a tour of the bike path that follows the new light rail tracks, head west across the West Seattle Bridge and south along West Marginal Way to the park.

Hope to see you there! -Haulin’ Colin

Spokespeople Wallingford – Saturday

From Spokespeople:

This Saturday, July 2, will be a great day for a bike ride! Spokespeople will ride to Green Lake via the Green Lake PCC. This is one of our easiest rides from Wallingford and the weather is supposed to be balmy and dry! Details on the Cascade Bike Club website or Facebook. You can see photos from many of our rides on Facebook too.

As we do on the first Saturday of every month, we start from the Wallingford Playfield at 2 p.m. We’ll try to be back no later than 4 p.m. Most of the ride is on the road and there will be cars. You are always welcome to walk any hills you cannot ride. This ride will be led by Cascade Bicycle Club leader Cathy Tuttle and Cascade and League of American Bicyclists-certified Ride Leader Michael Snyder.

Bicycle Sundays on Lake Washington Blvd

If you haven’t been, Bicycle Sundays are a great. The city opens a stretch of Lake Washington Blvd near Seward Park for use by people walking, biking, skating and rolling in wheelchairs. Having a stretch that is car-free completely changes the dynamic of the road and the area. Lots and lots of smiles.

Here’s a review from a parent who lives near the Burke-Gilman and was skeptical of what Bicycle Sundays would offer her and her family:

Easily three times as wide as the Burke Gilman trail, Lake Washington Boulevard affords you plenty of space to ride or run or glide. Whereas we often have to ride single file on the Burke Gilman, we were able to ride side by side without fear of interfering with bicycle training teams or leashed dogs and their owners. My 4-year-old, who is mastering the balance bike, felt much more comfortable wobbling with the extra wiggle room, and my 6-year-old was able to speed ahead and circle back with the extra room to turn around.

YoCycle free ride – July 3

A yoga+bike ride organized in part by my partner Kelli. From YoCycle:

Seattle to Mercer Island and back || July 3rd 10 am – 1 pm
Map Link
Ride Leaders Kelli Refer & Jamison Bourque take you on one of the most loved Yocycle trips. Suitable for ANY LEVEL rider or yogi. This fully supported Bike ride goes from a park in Seattle to park on Mercer Island where we have an outdoor yoga class before riding back to a park in Seattle. You’ll learn yoga you can use before, during & after biking. And you’ll be able to relax knowing that you have the support of your own bike mechanic and yoga instructor.