"The more the merrier:" Santas get some exercise ahead of big day with 'Santa Cycle Rampage'
MILWAUKEE -- Giving literal meaning to the phrase, "the more the merrier," dozens of bicyclists on Saturday, December 5th donned their best Santa Claus attire and hopped on their bikes for the 15th annual "Santa Cycle Rampage."
The event was created 15 years ago by the Wisconsin Bike Fed -- with a handful of people who rode their bikes all year.
Wisconsin Bike Fed officials say a fun winter ride was organized to encourage other people to try riding in the winter.
Nowadays, lots of people ride all year, which may be one reason why the Santa Cycle Rampage now attracts hundreds of people and has even spun off similar rides as far away as Boston.
The 2015 Santa Cycle Rampage event began at 9:30 a.m. from Cranky Al's Bakery near 69th and North Avenue in Wauwatosa.
Cyclists then rode six miles down North Avenue to the Lakefront Brewery.
There were several "Santa Gathering Places" along the route -- and those business owners agreed to sponsor the ride with donations to the Wisconsin Bike Fed. These businesses served as morning gathering places and post-ride parties:
Santa Gathering Places:
- Belair Cantina, Wauwatosa, 6817 W North Ave., Wauwatosa
- Benno’s Bar and Grill, 7413 W Greenfield Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53214
- Cafe Hollander Wauwatosa Village, 7677 W State St.
- Cafe Hollander Downer, 2608 N Downer Ave.
- Cafe Centraal, 2306 S Kinnickinnic Ave., Bay View
- Cafe Lulu, 2265 S Howell Ave., Bay View
- Conejitos Place, 539 W Virgina Street, Milwaukee
- Cranky Al’s, 6901 W North Ave., Wauwatosa
- Fuel Cafe, 818 E Center St, Riverwest
- Milwaukee Beer Bistro, Milwaukee Beer Bistro, 2730 N Humboldt Blvd, Riverwest
- Nomad World Pub, 1401 E Brady St, Milwaukee
- Red Dot, 6713 W North Ave., East Tosa
- Twisted Fisherman, 1200 W Canal St., Milwaukee
Post Rampage Parties:
- Anodyne Coffee Walker’s Point Roastery, 2pm-8pm, 224 W Bruce St., Milwaukee
- Cafe Centraal, 2306 S Kinnickinnic Ave., Bay View
- The Garage, 1709 N Arlington Place., Milwaukee
- Great Lakes Distillery, 11am-2pm, 616 W Virginia St., Milwaukee
- Kochanski’s Concertina Beer Hall, 1pm-close, 1920 S 37th St., Milwaukee
- Lakefront Brewery, 10:30am-noon, 1872 N Commerce St., Milwaukee
- Three Lions Pub, 4515 N Oakland Ave., Shorewood
CLICK HERE to learn more about the Santa Cycle Rampage event.
CLICK HERE for a Santa Cycle Rampage 2014 photo gallery.
CLICK HERE for a Santa Cycle Rampage 2013 photo gallery.
Meanwhile, others dressed up in their best Santa gear for Milwaukee's Santa Hustle 5K race on Saturday.
More than 2,000 came out to race dressed up like Santa.
With more than 200 volunteers, the event was set up by Adrenaline Sports Management and the proceeds will benefit the non-profit "Keep Greater Milwaukee Beautiful."
"This is beautiful. We can't complain with this. We've got the sunrise over the lake. 40 degrees out here right now. Should be 45 by the time the race starts. Heck of a view and once that sun cracks, it's like 'wow, this was really worth doing it. The setup's all worth getting up early,'" Matt Paradise, operations manager for Adrenaline Sports Management said.
The event was very festive, with cookie and candy stations throughout the race, and live reindeer!
Santa Hustle 5K race