Bikes and lights to celebrate summer solstice

A bicycle crawl in Carson City will give riders a chance to celebrate as spring settles into summer Friday night.

Cyclists are encouraged to wear costumes and bring plenty of light to the Blinky Man ride.

“Summer solstice is a great time to be out celebrating,” said Kyle Horvath, of Panacea Planning Group, who is co-organizing the event. “It’s also a good way to promote Carson City as the most bikeable city in Nevada.”

The party will begin 6:30 p.m. at the corner of Plaza and Proctor streets with a deejay and drink specials at Jimmy G’s Cigar Bar. The ride will kick off at 7:30 for about a five-mile loop through downtown, hitting spots along the way, each offering food and drink specials: Timber’s, Foodies Bistro in the Brewery Arts Center, San Marcos Grill, The Tap Shack. At midnight, the group will gather for a photo in front of the Carson Nugget.

Horvath said it will be up to the cyclists to make sure they don’t overindulge in alcohol before getting on their bikes.

“We wanted to highlight the businesses in Carson City,” he said. “It just so happens it’s bars and restaurants that are open at that time.”

He said the ride also will take in the sites of the city.

“We’ll ride past historic homes and buildings, under the Ormsby arch, past the Governor’s Mansion,” he said. “The pace really is at a crawl. It’s one, blinking, moving organism through town together.”

For those not inclined to get on a bicycle, he said they are welcome to join at any of the stops along the way, where cyclists will spend 45 minutes at each.

Horvath said he hopes it becomes an annual event.

“Anybody who enjoys riding a bike doesn’t need a reason to get on a bike, but we thought we’d give them one,” he said. “It has an opportunity to grow over the years.”