Looking to bring some joy into what can be a dreary time, the Red Wheel Bike Shop is gearing up for another Bicycle Pub Crawl.
The annual event is set for 4 p.m. Saturday, with participants starting at Red Wheel Bike Shop, 400 W. Main St., before heading to the first of four stops.
Nick Smith, owner of Red Wheel Bike Shop, said the pub crawl is always scheduled for the weekend after the Super Bowl for one very specific reason.
"I heard somewhere that that's the saddest weekend of the year," Smith said. "You're still in the middle of winter, football's over and it's not Valentine's Day yet. We thought that would be the perfect weekend to do this, just to get out and kind of defy winter a little bit."
Smith said the first stop on the crawl is always Paddy Malone's, where they can grab a bite to eat with a pint before continuing on to the second stop, Gumbo Bottoms. The third stop had not yet been confirmed late last week, but Smith said they always end the night at High Street Pub, "whether they like it or not, we always show up."
Typically, the group will stay at each spot for 45 minutes to an hour, Smith said, adding by that last stop, the group has usually dwindled down to a only a few remaining participants. Usually, he said, the whole event is being wrapped up by around 7 p.m.
"It's a pretty laid back event," he said.
While the state of Missouri does not consider riding a bicycle while intoxicated an offense, though some other states do, Smith noted public intoxication is still a crime, and the group has to be mindful of the rules of the road while riding to avoid any issues.
"The group of people that do this ride is a pretty mature group, and it never really gets out of control," Smith said.
Smith said the first year, there was about 15 people participating, but now they tend to expect about 30-40 people. While the majority who participate are local residents, he said there are a few who may come in from Columbia or the Lake of the Ozarks area.
Ultimately, Smith said, the purpose of the crawl is really just to remind people of how easy and enjoyable it is to take your bike downtown for a ride around Jefferson City.
"You can go ride your bike around downtown on the weekends," Smith said. "If you want to go out for a bite to eat or check out a show, consider taking your bike out. Why not?"
The event's Facebook page asks participants to bring a helmet, a bike lock and a taillight as well as cash. Smith noted the event is weather dependent, but the most recent forecasts show a clear, albeit cold, Saturday.
For more information, visit the Red Wheel Bike Shop's event page on Facebook or call 573-638-2453.