Tuesday, October 25, 2016

2016 We Cycle "Zombie Bike Ride"

     The 2016 Zombie Bike Ride that went off Sunday evening, is only the zaniest, most creative and colorful bike ride anywhere!   If your alter ego is a zombie, ghoul, ghost, sugar skull, or other member of the undead, then this is the event for you!   This family friendly event has grown from 70 people in 2009 to more than 5,000 in 2013 and celebrates bike culture along with our fascination in all things zombie. This leisurely four-mile bike ride took the participants down the scenic South Roosevelt Blvd with beautiful ocean views, before winding through Old Town Key West and ending with the block party on Duval Street. 

     The historic and haunted Fort East Martello is the perfect backdrop to this year’s Zombieland from as early as 2pm to mingle with fellow zombies, getting your face or body painted, and enjoying the live music.  Food and beverage vendors keep the zombies hydrated and happy. Beginning at 6pm the hoard starts the four mile ride toward the block party on Duval Street.  Bike traffic flow was significantly improved this year, zombie ride participants will be able to use all four lanes of South Roosevelt as the group departs Fort East Martello headed west. They were able to have smooth riding as they wound through the south side of Key West this year!  

     Parade viewers lined up along the beach along South Roosevelt and all along Duval Street.  The voyeurs had a great view of the ride as it passed along the route   There are no official Zombie Bike Ride stops on our way to Duval Street, but several bars along the way did have “Unofficial” Pit Stops for spectators and tired riders.  I know all of the people involved and spectating had a really fun time watching the parade of zombies move smoothly along the route to the block party at the end where three blocks of Duval Street were closed from 7pm til 11pm for the party.