It’s ride day – the Clarence Saturday Bike Stampede has arrived! The Bike Stampede is a FREE and inclusive presented by Slow Roll Buffalo and Discover Main Street. The Ride starts and ends at Brennan’s Bowery Bar, 4401 Transit Road in Clarence at Main. We’re meeting at 2 and the ride leaves promptly at 3pm.

You may already be planning to ride, and may be one of the hundreds of riders who joined us last month at Murphy Brown’s for our first Slow Roll event of the season. If so, you most of what you need to already, but read on for parking and other tips. If not, we’ve got the 411 for you all right here.

If you’re interested in a more in-depth look at how these events got started in Clarence, Seamus Gallivan wrote a nice preview on the Slow Roll Buffalo website. There’s also a nice write-up in the Clarence Bee.

1. What is a Bike Stampede?

A Saturday afternoon Bike Stampede is a version of the Monday Slow Roll that takes place in the suburbs. This is going to be a fun group bike ride at a party pace, a bit longer than a Monday night roll. We’ll be following traffic laws and riding in support of a bike-friendly Main Street, and we’ll also feature some uniquely Clarence neighborhoods and scenery.

2. How many riders do you expect?

While rides in the City are drawing thousands as summer rolls on, don’t expect to see that many here in Clarence. Good weather should bring out several hundred riders, which gives all the fun of a large group ride and allows the ride to move a bit more smoothly.

3. When should we arrive?

Plan to come at 2pm. That gives you a chance to relax, do a quick check of your bike, get something to eat and drink and check out harmonica phenom Noah Moses, who will be providing the pre-roll entertainment. The ride starts promptly at 3pm.

4. Where should I park?

Not everyone can ride to the Stampede (though it’s encouraged!). If you’re planning to drive in, the parking situation is easily the best we’ve had. Brennan’s has virtually unlimited parking, and if that wasn’t enough, the Eastern Hills mall is 1/10th of a mile away.

5. Where Will we Ride?

We’ll start the ride passing the Mall before diverting north through the Sheridan hills, and begin a meandering path through one neighborhood after another, including Loch Lea, Rolling Meadows, Highland Farms, Farmington Woods, Meadow Lakes and Fox Trace . We’ll have a climb back up before exploring Harris Hill proper, passing Nativity Church and coming back along Main Street to Brennan’s for the after-party.

5. What should I expect during the ride?

The ride will proceed at a “party pace,” which most riders should be able to keep with no difficulty. If you’re a bit slower, you will want to start at the front of the ride, while stronger riders should start towards the rear. Orange-shirted volunteers from Slow Roll Buffalo’s Squad will be managing the ride to keep the ride together, help riders avoid hazards and help keep everyone on the planned route. Please remember that we are riding along with traffic laws and we will encounter motorists along the way. You should listen to and follow instructions from Squad volunteers – they are there to help make your ride safe and enjoyable.

6. What’s planned for the afterparty?

Brennan’s will be serving up food to order from the Bowery Patio Grill, and harmonica phenom Noah Moses will be performing live from the patio. There will be plenty of craft beer on hand, including featured selections from Thin Man Brewery and Main Street’s very own West Shore Brewing Company.

7. A word about our sponsors.

This event wouldn’t be possible without the support of our local community. We’d like to thank the following businesses and supporters who are helping make this FREE EVENT possible:

Host Sponsor:

• Brennan’s Bowery Bar

Gold Sponsor:

• Stephen Development
• Kulback’s Construction
• West Shore Brewing Company

Silver Sponsor:

• Stonewall Property Management

Bronze Sponsors:

• Emerling Insurance – an EMS Group Partner
• Eprie Design & Print Solutions
• Clarence Republican Party
• Kickstand Crafts

With the Season Finale at West Shore Brewing Company yet to come, there’s still time to become a sponsor of our 2018 Slow Roll Series, which includes all three events with one sponsorship. You can download our sponsor form here or contact us at info@discovermainstreet.org for more information on how to support these FREE community events.