A Single-Gear Summer

For many Coloradans, bicycles are a way of life. But for 39-year-old Denver real-estate agent Brad Evans, who rides a stealth-black, single-gear Schwinn Panther reissue, cycles and summer simply mean one thing: cruising. When Evans lived in Boulder, he regularly rode with the Thursday-night Boulder Cruzer Club. But eventually, Evans says, that ride became more about booze than bikes — with riders towing kegs and sound systems on trailers — and it started drawing negative attention from the police (much like April's Critical Mass ride in downtown Denver, minus the beer). So he bailed to the south and started the Wednesday-night Denver Cruiser Ride. Now in its second summer, the group of Denver dilettantes is focused on personal responsibility, social networking and, of course, cruising.

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More About

• Brad Evans
• Boulder (Colorado)

"This is not a booze cruise or a Critical Mass ride," Evans says. "We go out and have fun and follow the rules, whereas Critical Mass's intent is to fuck with people and cause problems. That's fine for what it is, and I totally respect that. But our ride is just a fun, social thing."

Tonight is the last night when the cruisers will meet at 7 p.m. at Paris Wine Bar, 1549 Platte Street, and then pedal their way, parade style, around town at single-gear speed, stopping occasionally for food or drink. Anything with two wheels (or one, if unicycles are your thing) is welcome, as long as it has front and rear lights. Costumes are encouraged, and themes are regularly announced on the group's website. Interested cruisers should go to www.denvercruisers.com for more information.
Wednesdays, 7 p.m. Starts: May 17. Continues through Sept. 27