Calling all cycling aficionados and art connoisseurs: Scottsdale is gearing up for its annual Cycle the Arts event on April 6, offering a unique blend of fitness and culture. This year’s edition promises an 11-mile bike route peppered with 10 stops featuring gems from the city's public art collection, with insights provided by local artists and Scottsdale Arts staff, as reported by the City of Scottsdale. The catch is, that registration is a must since spots are limited, and there’s no price tag attached.

According to the City of Scottsdale, the spotlight this year includes Shela Yu, a Chinese American artist known as ShellShaker, responsible for 'A Gathering Place', a temporary mural. To top it off, participants will snag a commemorative t-shirt and some stickers for their effort.

Mark Melnychenko, Scottsdale’s Transportation and Streets Director, underscored the event's significance by saying, “Cycle The Arts brings bike riders and art enthusiasts together for a unique bike ride showcasing the city’s public art and the bikeway network,” as stated by the City of Scottsdale.

Kati Ballares, director of Scottsdale Public Art, conveyed her excitement to the City of Scottsdale about the event: “While we love all of 161 pieces of public art that we care for throughout the city, we're excited to highlight a few special pieces on this year's tour, including a brand-new mural on the south side of the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art titled 'Big Ole Gecko.'”

For those who prefer to explore at their own pace, an interactive self-guided map of this year’s Cycle the Arts route will be available online post-event, complete with links to featured artwork. Augmented reality is also on the table, with experiences for numerous public artworks accessible via the Hoverlay app.