WS Chronicle

JESS SCHNUR

THE CHRONICLE

This weekend, Winston-Salem Cycling will be hosting Gears and Guitars, the self-proclaimed “Biggest Party on Two Wheels.”

The event will kick off this Friday, May 23, from 7 to 9 p.m., with “Streets of Fire,” a series of races down Fourth Street, with a perfect view from restaurant row and local bars. Each of the classes and start times for the sprints will be determined through registration, which ends tonight at 5 p.m.

Following the final cross of the finish line, there will be a free concert hosted by the event at Kaleideum, featuring performances from Hold Tone (5:30 p.m.), Shake It Like a Caveman (6:30 p.m.), Mipso (7:30 p.m.), and Old 97’s (9 p.m.).

On Saturday, May 24, Gears and Guitars will go out with a bang, partying from dusk till dawn for an entire day of music, food, cycling and fun for everyone of all ages and riding skill levels.

The event will kick off with two fondos – long-distance races – at two distances (42 miles and 69 miles), starting at 8 a.m., alongside two greenway rides (7 and 15 miles). The races will begin and end at Bailey Park, returning to an afternoon of food trucks and beer gardens for lunch.

Things will kick into gear shortly after with the Winston-Salem Classic Course’s criterium racing – one of the most challenging races of the event, which has gained notoriety as “some of the most exciting bike racing in the country,” according to Winston-Salem Cycling. Amateur racing is set for 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., followed by the professional criterium from 5:15 to 8 p.m. Registration for these races ends tonight at 5 p.m.

Another free concert will serenade attendees into the evening, with performances from Spindle 45 (1 p.m.), The Smyle Band (3 p.m.), GOryanGO (7:30 p.m.), and Switchfoot (9 p.m.) at Bailey Park.

For more information about Gears and Guitars and to register for upcoming races, visit www.WinstonSalemCycling.com.