May is National Bike Month and the Transportation Management Association of Chester County (TMACC) knows all about celebrating it the right way.

TMACC promotes sustainable, alternative options for traveling throughout Chester County.  During the warmer months, they market biking as a healthy form of transportation.  May is the perfect month to begin because “not only is the entire month of May National Bike Month, but Bike to Work Week falls within the month.” said TMACC Executive Director, Tim Phelps. “We promote fun events during the month to get everyone engaged in bicycling.”

Their largest and most popular event is the Bike to Work Challenge.  For the past five years, TMACC has been kicking off Bike to Work Week with a Challenge the Friday before. The Challenge?  To bring the most participants out from your company.  “It can get very competitive.” said Phelps, “We have large and small businesses all with a strong sense of camaraderie and love for fun.  When they hear there is a prize at the end and bragging rights, it’s easy for them to get caught up in the spirit of the challenge.”

The prize is typical in the spirit of TMACC’s alternative culture: the Bike Horns Trophy.  It is a trophy created specifically for the event that looks like a deer taxidermy.  “It’s called bike taxidermy.” Phelps laughed.  

This year they are expecting a large turn-out on the Chester Valley Trail and anticipate riders registering just before the event this Friday.  For the convenience of riders, the event starts at two different locations, one at the Exton Park Trail Head and the other at the Westlakes Trail Head, and runs from 7:30 AM to 9:00 AM.  The riders completed their trail ride at the PNC Bank in Malvern where a continental breakfast will be served and prizes will be awarded.

Any level of rider is encouraged to come out.  The ride is 4 miles at a moderate pace.  For more information on other bike events TMACC hosts and to register for their Bike to Work Challenge, visit www.tmacc.org.