Festival season is in full swing, and wristband holders are looking for the best transportation methods to get to the concert sites. Parking is always atrocious, and while most well established music festivals offer public transportation, even getting to shuttle pick-up sites can be an ordeal. Avid and newbie cyclists could be missing a great opportunity to get in a great workout and pedal their way to the festival location.
Of course, biking to a music festival isn't a ride in the park. Festivals are crowded, take place during the hottest months of the year and are not always in the friendliest locations for two-wheel travel. Below are some tips to get to your jams as safely as possible and a list of bike-friendly festivals to check out in 2015.
Plan Your Lodging Accordingly
Most large music festivals in the U.S. take place in parks close to downtown or densely populated areas. For locals, this should make cycling an easy decision. For out-of-towners, make sure to find close, cycle-friendly places to stay.
Check Out the Festival's Travel Information
Most U.S. festivals encourage attendees to bike and want to assist any way they can. In fact, some festivals offer more bike parking than car parking, lockers and even ways to cool down after your ride.
Pack Only the Necessities
- Tickets
- Bike lock
- Plenty of water
- Extra T-shirt
- Something small to eat (fruit, energy bar, etc.)
- Small towel
- Sunblock
- Small tire pump
Plan Your Route
The last thing you want is to get lost and miss your favorite act. But you also want to make sure you've picked the most bike-friendly route. As mentioned earlier, most festivals take place in parks close to a city's downtown, which means bike lanes are in abundance. Try to stick to streets that have designated bike lanes, even at the expense of cutting corners.
Pace Yourself
Find a nice, easy pace and give yourself plenty of time to get to the festival site. You don't want to push yourself and expend too much energy before a long day in the sun.
Find Buddies to Bike With
Cycling in a group makes the experience more fun and safer. If possible, get some friends together and make the journey to the music festival a real adventure.
Pitchfork Music Festival
July 17-19, 2015, at Union Park in Chicago 1 of 8
Lineup
Wilco, Sleater Kinney, Chance the Rapper, CHVRCHES, Panda Bear, Caribou, Kurt Vile
Cycling to the Event
The venue is within cycling distance of downtown Chicago and has abundant and secure bike parking available at the northwest corner of Union Park. Lockers with all-day access are also available.
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Cycling EventsNewport Folk Festival
July 24-26, 2015, at Ford Adams State Park in Newport. R.I. 2 of 8
Lineup
Roger Waters, Sufjan Stevens, The Decemberists, Hozier, Tallest Man on Earth, Iron & Wine, Jose Gonzalez
Cycling to the Event
The festival promises information about routes and partnerships as the festival date nears. In years past, there’s been a special entrance for cyclists and a bike parking valet service.
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Cycling EventsLollapalooza
July 31 - Aug. 2, 2015, at Grant Park in Chicago 3 of 8
Lineup
Paul McCartney, Metallica, Florence + the Machine, Alabama Shakes, Of Monsters and Men, Kid Cudi, Tame Impala
Cycling to the Event
Grant Park is easily accessible via bicycle and is near the heart of downtown Chicago. Specialized is an official sponsor at this year's event and offers free parking and bike maintenance.
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Cycling EventsRiot Fest
Sept. 11-13, 2015, at Douglas Park in Chicago 4 of 8
Lineup
No Doubt, System of a Down, Modest Mouse, Iggy Pop, Snoop Dogg, Billy Idol, Damien Marley
Cycling to the Event
A further ride from downtown Chicago than Union Park, Douglas Park is still a manageable five-mile bike ride from most downtown locations. And, like all Chicago music festivals, it's recommended to travel via bicycle. The festival offers plenty of onsite bike parking, but be sure to take a lock.
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Cycling EventsAustin City Limits
Oct. 2-4 and 9-11, 2015, at Zilker Park in Austin, Texas 5 of 8
Lineup
Foo Fighters, Drake, The Strokes, Florence + the Machine, The Weeknd, Hozier, Alabama Shakes
Cycling to the Event
Located across Ladybird Lake in bike-friendly Austin, the festival is easily accessible via a bike trail from downtown.? Plenty of bike racks are available at each entrance, and be sure to take a dip at nearby Barton Springs to cool down.
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Cycling EventsVoodoo Experience
Oct. 20-Nov. 1, 2015, at City Park in New Orleans 6 of 8
Lineup
Ozzy Osborne, Jane's Addiction, Florence + the Machine, Modest Mouse, Girl Talk, Santigold, Zac Brown Band
Cycling to the Event
This event is a five-minute bike ride from bike-friendly downtown New Orleans and the French Quarter. Bike rentals and abundant parking are also available, but as always, take a lock.
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Cycling EventsFun Fun Fun Fest
Nov. 6-8, 2015, at Auditorium Shores in Austin, Texas 7 of 8
Lineup
Wu-Tang Clan, Jane's Addiction, Cheap Trick, NOFX, Coheed and Cambia, Grimes, CHVRCHES
Cycling to the Event
Like Austin City Limits, Fun Fun Fun Fest is right across Ladybird Lake and easily accessible via a bike trail from downtown Austin. The festival offers plenty of parking, and last year, Spokefly offered free bike rentals to first-time riders.
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