Riverwest 24 draws in hundreds of cyclists for 24-hour community ride

MILWAUKEE (CBS58) -- For 24 hours, over a thousand people are riding their bikes around Milwaukee's Riverwest neighborhood.  It's all a part of the popular Riverwest 24, celebrating its 18th year. From 7PM Friday to 7PM Saturday, participants rode their bikes through a loop of about 5 miles.

"People are really friendly, and it’s really a cool event I look forward to all year," said Jim Lyke. He said it's his fifth or sixth time riding in Riverwest 24. "I just love this neighborhood and the whole idea, camaraderie, and community, that’s what makes it fun," he continued. He and his sister-in-law who were on the "Put a bird on it" team, donned birds on their helmets in reference to an episode of the TV show Portlandia. 

Many riders had unique helmets and outfits, some sporting banana costumes, others with champagne flutes on helmets, and even face paint. 

Because it's a 24-hour bike ride, participants end up creating "base camps" at houses, or even in tents.

Many people in the days leading up to the event were volunteering their time and food, allowing for community meals to be shared.

"They call it the people’s holiday, and I think it's a pretty apt description of it. You end up talking to complete strangers, getting to know them, do things with them. It's one of those events where I don't think anyone really takes themselves too seriously, or they shouldn't," shared Lyke.

While participants bike through about five miles of the neighborhood, helmets and safety are required. While it rained for a portion of the morning, that didn't put a damper on the festivities. 

Riverwest 24 uses bikes to connect a community. Christopher Fons is one of the co-founders of the event. He said he and teacher friends at Riverside High School put the event together "to create some sort of community event, and I think it's a place where people feel connected. You can’t do this in other communities."

Riders had to stop at checkpoints located on the neighborhood's four corners to verify how many laps they did. Doug Tocco was a first-time rider who said, "It's a unique community experience, it doesn’t feel organized by a governing body over everything. It feels like people coming around to make fun happen."

"We say it’s a ride, not a race. Our trophies are made with ice, and the idea is doing something with your neighbors. You can't pull something like this off with five people. Everybody’s gotta kick in," said Fons.