Edmonton Bike Show

Marc Kitteringham and McKenzie Sanford

Edmonton’s first ever bike show took place from Feb 27-28, 2016. Shops from around the city converged on the University of Alberta Butterdome to show off the city’s emerging bike scene.

McKenzie and I got to the show early on the second day. Things were just beginning to ramp up as we walked through the gates. Exhibitors were just getting started, coffee was being sipped and the first sounds of activity were building. We wandered around getting set up and stopped first at the Edmonton Bike Polo tent.

I knew one of the guys, Derek Pluim, who was working the booth. He was a friend of a friend of mine, and we got talking about bike polo, bikes, different kinds of gearing and drivetrains and generally the kind of talk that unites people who enjoy riding.

“It was the first real gathering of everyone involved in the community”

The guys started riding their bikes and playing little shinny polo games. McKenzie and I were transfixed. We are both fans of the weirdness that can come from bikes and bike polo is about the weirdest you can get. When you think of it, images of Portland, beards and craft beer immediately come to mind. When Derek asked if we wanted to try playing, we of course said yes. I only fell once.

Unfortunately, we couldn’t spend the whole day playing around on polo bikes. That will come later. We started wandering around the show, looking at the gear on display, learning about rides, events, meeting people and hobnobbing around the show floor.

What impressed me most about the show was the sense of community that pervaded the show floor. Everyone there was proud of their city and the progress cycling has had in Edmonton. It was the first real gathering of everyone involved in the community and people were genuinely excited to be a part of it.

One of the booths was a stationary bike time trial. McKenzie and I each hopped on a bike to see who could go the furthest in two minutes. I lost, but only by a little bit. McKenzie’s 1.4 km beat my 1.3 km, but just barely.

Prepping for the time trial - Marc Kitteringham

We also got to listen and speak to Ryan Correy, a Canadian adventure cyclist who has completed some of the hardest cycling feats in the world.

There were many beautiful bikes throughout the show - Marc Kitteringham

In all, Edmonton’s first bike show was a success. The event brought together shops, community members, industry reps, weirdoes, old timers, pros and threw them all into the same room. It was a great event for building up the already flourishing cycling community in Edmonton. It showed that even though many of Edmonton’s riders are focused on different disciplines and often don’t come together, we are all united by a love of two wheels, a metal frame and a chain.

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