In Honor of the End of the World: Biking Zombies!

Well, it’s 12/21/12 and, despite the Mayan prediction, we’re all still here. But, proving that winter isn’t the end of the world for bicycling, Anchorage residents got a preview of the apocalypse thanks to a parade of cycling zombies this past weekend.

Photo by Andre Camara

The inaugural Zombie Apocalypse Winter Bike Ride, hosted by the non-profit Green Star, drew more than 60 costumed cyclists for a five-mile ride on road, trails, and even across a frozen lagoon.

“In recent years, an increasing number of people have been riding their bikes in winter, whether in bike races on single-track trails or to commute to work, creating a new snow-sport sub-culture in Anchorage,” Christina Grande, Green Star’s Community Outreach and Communications Coordinator, explained. “Seeing this trend, staff at Green Star thought it would be fun to organize a winter bike ride to celebrate and generate additional enthusiasm for winter bike commuting with an emphasis on safety.”

“The zombies met at a local Anchorage cafe for coffee and treats in the morning,” Grande continued. “Then the group took to the streets and trails decked out in true zombie fashion…blood, detached limbs, ripped clothes (with a puff jacket underneath most costumes). Halfway through the bike ride, the group rode across a frozen lagoon popular with ice skaters, racing around the rink with one very surprised ice skater! The ride wrapped up at a local restaurant and pub where bike valet parking for zombie bike riders was available thanks to Bicycle Commuters of Anchorage (BCA).”

Happy apocalypse to all!