Oshkosh to celebrate Bike To Work Day

OSHKOSH, WI – (WISS and WGBW) – On May 17th the nation will celebrate commuting to work via bicycle on Bike to Work Day. In Oshkosh, the celebration will include a gathering in Opera House Square, complete with refreshments and even some minor bike maintenance. 

Sean Lynch, the owner of Winnebago Bicycle on North Main Street in Oshkosh, says he started celebrating Bike to Work Day over a decade ago when he attended college in Iowa. He brought the idea to Oshkosh.

“I thought it was just such a good idea, and I wanted to do something about making Bike Week a recognized thing in Oshkosh,” said Lynch. 

Lynch says as part of Bike To Work Day he sets up a table in the Opera House Square to serve coffee and even perform a little maintenance for fellow cyclists.

“I’m there to just say ‘Hey! Want me to check your tires? Or lube your chain? Or make a small adjustment or something?’” said Lynch. “And I have a little carafe of coffee that New Moon graciously gives me to hand out to people. So they can enjoy a cup of coffee on their morning commute.”  

Lynch says he spends most of his time on Bike To Work Day airing tires, lubricating chains, and making minor brake adjustments. He also does a little educating for maintenance and lets people know if he sees a more complex repair that needs to be made.

Bike to Work Week and Beyond

Other events happening during Bike Week in the area include:

• Alley Cat Race on Saturday, May 18, 2024
• Slow Roll Manila on May 21, 2024

Lynch says that the cycling community has many events planned for throughout the summer from Alley Cat Races to Bikepacking trips.

“The Alley Cats are pretty much a scavenger hunt on bikes,” said Lynch. “People show up with no idea what they’re doing. We give them a list of clues (all Google-able) for the required stops, and people use that to plan their route in under 10 minutes. Then we say “GO!” and they take off to complete the race.”

Lynch added that one of his favorite activities is Cranksgiving. 

“It’s a food drive on bikes. Similar to the Alleycat format, people are given a list of items that the Oshkosh Area Community Pantry could use for donations” said Lynch. “ Then I host a Cranksgiving feast at whatever restaurant we finish at. Super fun!”