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Saturday morning at Lykins Park was ground zero for bike riding in Clark County as Winchester-Clark County Parks and Recreation (WCCPR) hosted its 13th Annual Bicycle Rodeo.

Just thirty minutes after opening, the festivities were already in full swing.

“It has been insane,” said WCCPR Assistant Programs Director Tiffany Fletcher. “We have had several same-day registrations come in, and we had 156 registrations online before the event…This is the biggest one we’ve had since I have been here.”

The event featured riding courses and an opportunity to win a brand-new bike in a raffle.

“Kids get to put in three raffle tickets. They can put them all in the same bike or one in each of three bikes,” Fletcher said.

The drawing happened at the end of the event, and over 59 were given away, which was a substantial increase from the 36 raffled away in 2022.

The Winchester Elks’ Lodge played a vital role in ensuring the raffle’s success.

“This is one of our state events we do every year,” said the Elks’ Monte McBride.

He explained that the Elks get four annual grants that “have to be used at a public or charitable event.”

This year the Elks spent a little over $4,000 purchasing the bikes.

Fletcher said that the Elks’ contributions go above and beyond financial assistance.

“They are here in force volunteering,” she said. “They put together many of these bicycles and then trucked them in.”

The Elks enjoy working with WCCPR as well.

“They are a great bunch of people, and it has been a good relationship for years now for us,” McBride said.

Of course, the kids make all the work worthwhile.

“It is absolutely the best feeling to watch these kids out here. They have the greatest time,” McBride said.

And while having fun and winning a new bike is exciting, knowing how to stay safe while doing so is just as important.

Each new bike came with a helmet, and several expert riders, such as Clark County Composite Mountain Bike Team Coaches Eric Hutchens and Lisa Manley, were on hand to provide handy safety tips.

“We always start with the top of the head, which is the helmet,” said Hutchens. “We want to make sure they have a good helmet on before they get on the bike and that it is properly adjusted so it does not come off of their head.”

Team members also inspected each bike thoroughly, including gaging tire pressure and ensuring the breaks were in working order.

“We make sure all the other mechanical systems of the bikes are functioning properly, which helps them stay in control,” Hutchens explained.

Having a properly functioning bike is only half of staying safe; the other is following the rules of the road.

And the best way to stay safe is to be sure one is seen at all times.

“If you are going to be any place where there is going to be cars, obviously have to be visible…Automobiles are the biggest danger for any cyclist, period,” Hutchens said.