Every year we patiently await the best month of the year – May! On top of choice bike riding weather, perfect brat grilling conditions and a three-day Memorial Weekend, May is also the home of National Bike Month. 
Our founder and owner, Chris Fortune, joins in on the fun each year too!
Now in its 60th year, this month-long celebration of the bike is promoted by the League of American Bicyclists and is observed by a myriad of organizations and cities across the United States. Its mission? To encourage more cycling, specifically to work. And a year-to-year increase in bike commuters showcase the efforts of Bike to Work Day (May 20th) and Bike to Work Week (May 16th – 20th), since many people who participate in a National Bike to Work event become regular bike commuters.
Encouraging employees to ride to work is an interest near and dear to our collective hearts here at Saris. Every year we see employees trade their car keys for a helmet and join in on the fun for months to come. Utilizing The Hub, we're able to track participation and grow our bike-loving community every May. Take a look at some of our programming for this year's National Bike Month:
National Bike Challenge
Log your miles alongside millions of riders with the PeopleForBikes National Bike Challenge. This initiative runs May 1 – September 30th and anyone can participate as an individual, through a business or a community. And each time you log your ride, you help show the powerful benefits of bicycling – which is good for everyone. We'll see you on the leaderboard! 
Saris Cycling Group commuters on a beautiful summer day.
Bike to School Day
Created to build on the popularity of October's Walk to School Day, its cycling-centric counterpart celebrates the benefits of two-wheeled transport for school children. This year's Bike to School Day will take place on Wednesday, May 4th. With over 1,500 communities signed up, chances are there's a school celebrating near you.
We also asked many of our cycling parents why they ride with their kids to school or daycare, here's what they had to say.
A plethora of bicycles parked in front of a daycare down the road from our headquarters.
Local Saris Events
Our incredible group of Saris brand advocates are on a mission this May to encourage more people to bike in their community by giving away outdoor bike racks to a local business. To find out if there's a bike parking contest going on in your area, contact your local Saris brand advocate.
Don't have an advocate in your area? Keep an eye on our application page in early winter for a chance to apply and join the team.
Honor Ride Madison
This Armed Forces Day we're partnering with Ride 2 Recovery for the 5th year in a row to host the Madison Honor Ride. It's an incredible event that benefits Ride 2 Recovery's life-changing programs, and we hope that those that are able will join us Saturday, May 21st to help honor our nation's healing heroes.
The Honor Ride Madison has 12, 38 or 69 mile routes to choose from. Register today to join in.
Bratfest
We've got a fever, and the only cure is more brats! After a morning of handing out Brat Bucks to those who Bike Their Brat to Work (last year we gave out over 700 brats!) from the World's Largest Brat Festival, we clock out at noon, ride through the delightful Madison Arboretum, spend time with our families, drink beer and of course – fill our bellies with brats.
Some of the Saris Cycling Group family at the 2015 Bratfest.
In case that wasn't enough, we're also planning on a picnic for the Olin Park Concert Series, bike tune-ups for employees, a fix-a-flat clinic along with a surprise food cart guest right here at our office.
No matter what you've got lined up this May, don't forget to grab a friend, ditch the car and enjoy the ride.