The familiar whirl of chain and sprocket, the resonance of laughter, and the sight of community blending into a tapestry of motion - this is the essence of Milwaukee's Riverwest 24. Kicking off at 7:00 p.m. TODAY (Friday, July 25), the 18th annual "tour de neighborhood" isn’t about the quickest lap, but about the spirit of togetherness fostered by the shared rhythm of wheels against pavement.
Alderwoman Milele A. Coggs captured the sentiment, suggesting, "Each year the Riverwest 24 brings people together to focus on cycling in an urban environment and to allow the wider community to soak in the beauty and connectedness of Riverwest,” as reported by an official release from the City of Milwaukee. Spectators line the streets, not as mere observers, but as integral players in the sustaining applause that fuels the riders’ momentum.
True to the idiosyncrasies of the Riverwest 24, participants shape their approach to victory, navigating freely, provided they touch base at all four checkpoints. An unconventional scoring system heralds those who engage with the course and its community activism checkpoints, rewarding riders not in trophic metals, but with a cooler memory - an ice sculpture - and a case of Milwaukee’s own brew.
Alex Brower, the alderman, noted the pure, unsponsored essence of the RW24, “with zero sponsors and completely volunteer-run – brings the community together, as all levels of cyclists join in the fun and people stay out even through the middle of the night to cheer on friends and family,” as mentioned on the City of Milwaukee website.
